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https://theconversation.com/attacks-on-ukraines-hospitals-are-deliberate-and-brutal-the-world-must-respond-to-these-acts-of-terror-179374>
"Reports earlier this week of Russian attacks and siege of a major hospital in
the Ukraine city of Mariupol indicate a particularly bleak and dark phase of
the war.
Sergei Orlov, the city’s deputy mayor, told the BBC how Russian forces had
entered the building, preventing doctors and nurses from leaving. About 400
people had been effectively taken as “hostages”.
Health workers, operating from the basement of the hospital, were apparently
trying to provide health services despite the dire situation.
This comes after attacks on a maternity hospital in the same city the previous
week.
While these examples made headlines around the world, there have been many more
attacks on health facilities and health workers since the start of the war.
The World Health Organization records 44 attacks on health facilities, health
supplies, health workers or patients in Ukraine. Of those, 34 attacks have
impacted health facilities. Violence with heavy weapons as well as abduction,
arrest or detention of health staff are recorded. The list updates as more
reports come in.
The effects of such attacks go far beyond the tragic loss of life. Destroyed
infrastructure, inability to refer to other health facilities, diminished
access to technology, equipment and drugs, and lack of power or fuel for
generators affect how hospitals function under such circumstances.
Such attacks also undermine the morale of health professionals and community
members. They deter people who need health care from accessing remaining
services. People may feel unsafe leaving bomb shelters to seek care if
hospitals become targets or are insecure."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
