In Ukraine, 80,000 births expected amid insufficient care

08 March 2022 - 13:47 By Andy Hoffman
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As many as 80,000 births by Ukraine women are expected in the next three months without access to sufficient medical care because of Russia’s military invasion, says the WHO.
As many as 80,000 births by Ukraine women are expected in the next three months without access to sufficient medical care because of Russia’s military invasion, says the WHO.
Image: Bloomberg

As many as 80,000 births by Ukraine women are expected in the next three months without access to sufficient medical care because of Russia’s military invasion, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

An estimated 1.7-million people, mostly women and children, have been displaced by the war, and as many as 1,000 births a week are anticipated with many mothers lacking proper maternal care and facilities, the WHO said on Tuesday.

WHO Europe regional director Hans Kluge said the invasion had created Europe’s fastest-growing refugee crisis in 75 years. The WHO is delivering medical supplies and services amid the conflict even as diplomatic efforts have failed to provide safe routes in some areas.

“A life-changing experience can become a life-threatening experience,” Isabel Yordi Aguirre, technical officer of gender and health for the WHO’s European regional office, said during an online briefing on Tuesday.

The WHO has two shipments totalling 76 tonnes of medical supplies in transit in Ukraine. The UN organisation said it had confirmed 16 attacks on health facilities, supplies and equipment in Ukraine resulting in at least nine deaths and many more injuries.

Supplies of oxygen remain at critically low levels and Ukraine has continued surveillance and reporting of Covid-19 cases and deaths. It reported 731 Covid-19 deaths to the WHO last week.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com


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