On January 23, 2023, the WHO Office in Ukraine has donated 26 ambulances to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to meet the urgent health needs of patients during the war.
"WHO is supporting the Ukrainian healthcare system, which is under constant attack during the war, by providing medical supplies and equipment in coordination with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and other partners," said Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. "These vehicles will help save lives and provide vital assistance to people in Ukraine during the war."
The donation includes 6 ambulances and 20 resuscitation vehicles equipped with oxygen tanks, defibrillators, ventilators and other medical equipment to transport seriously injured patients to healthcare facilities.
Since February 24, 2022, WHO and its partners have handed over more than 30 ambulances to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. More are planned to be provided throughout the year.
Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine, said: "Every day the war poses new challenges to us both in our work and in our lives. We all faced a lot of losses and destruction, but our main task remains the same - to take care of people's health. I am sincerely grateful to the World Health Organization for its significant assistance and comprehensive support. Thanks to our joint efforts, the Ukrainian medical system continues to operate. From today, these ambulances will start saving lives of Ukrainians."
This donation was made possible thanks to the financial support of the European Union.
"Since the beginning of russia's war against Ukraine, hundreds of medical facilities have been destroyed. Together with humanitarian partners such as WHO, and in close coordination with the Ukrainian Government, we are supporting the healthcare system so that Ukrainian healthcare workers can continue to save lives across the country," said Claudia Amaral, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the war, WHO has delivered more than 2,000 tonnes of life-saving medical supplies to Ukraine. Among them are power generators, ambulances, oxygen supplies for medical facilities, materials for trauma care and emergency surgery, medicines for the treatment of non-communicable diseases and much more.
