Health
Ukraine’s Healthcare System Adapts and Improves Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ukraine’s healthcare system has undergone significant changes and improvements due to the ongoing impacts of Russia’s invasion, particularly for those suffering from life-altering injuries and trauma, according to Health Minister Viktor Liashko. In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Liashko emphasized the war’s influence on enhancing healthcare capabilities, notably in areas such as blood transfusions and reconstructive surgery.
Since the onset of full-scale war, Ukraine’s rehabilitation capacity has surged from 2,500 to 12,000 sessions per day. New specialized orthopedic clinics, such as the Superhumans facility in the Lviv region, are at the forefront of this transformation, serving over 3,000 patients annually with a team of more than 100 specialists. There are plans to expand operations to six regions by 2025.
A crucial aspect of the rehabilitation effort is reshaping public perceptions regarding war-related disabilities. “We are raising awareness that life does not end after losing an arm or leg,” Liashko stated, highlighting the importance of embracing artificial limbs as symbols of honor and sacrifice. “A prosthesis could symbolize that they protected their country, so they can wear them proudly.”
The minister also noted a significant shift in attitudes toward mental health, particularly for frontline soldiers and civilians under continuous stress from the conflict. “We changed the wording in our communications and started talking about mental health instead of psychiatric health to overcome stigma and encourage people to seek help,” he explained. Ukrainians face immense psychological pressure stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing warfare, which includes constant air raids and disrupted education for children.
The government has initiated pilot projects aimed at supporting mental health among primary care doctors, teachers, and other professionals, with a focus on preventing emotional disturbances from escalating into psychiatric disorders that the health system cannot accommodate on a large scale.
As Ukraine prepares for its third winter under Russian assault, the healthcare system continues to experience stress. “There are numerous challenges that we are confident we will overcome. But the main priority today is to stop Putin,” Liashko stated.
One pressing issue remains the need for blood transfusions. To address this, Ukraine has recently launched a real-time online platform for blood donors, allowing for live updates on regional blood reserves and facilitating targeted inquiries for specific blood types.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s healthcare system has made strides in digital transformation, with advancements in electronic medical records and digital prescriptions. With over 35 million users and nearly 100 digital projects implemented each year, Minister Liashko asserted that, although the war has critically impacted the system, they remain committed to advancing digital solutions. “We have not stopped any digital solutions and are continuing to move forward as we did before,” he affirmed.
Health
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Second Round of Polio Vaccination Begins in Gaza Amid Conflict
A second round of polio vaccinations commenced in Gaza on Monday, aiming to inoculate over half a million children as part of emergency efforts to control an outbreak first detected in July. The highly contagious virus was found in sewage samples and led to the paralysis of a 10-month-old child, marking the first polio case in the region in 25 years.
The initial phase of the vaccination campaign occurred in early September, with approximately 95% of eligible children receiving the first dose of the oral polio vaccine. The current round will provide the crucial second dose, necessary to halt the transmission of the virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least two doses are required to stop the spread, and a minimum of 90% vaccination coverage is essential to protect the population.
In addition to the polio vaccine, children between the ages of two and nine will receive Vitamin A to enhance overall immunity, the WHO reported.
Dr. Hamid Jafari, Director of Polio Eradication for WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region, explained that polio outbreak responses typically involve multiple rounds of immunization to interrupt transmission at the community level. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) helps determine the number and scope of campaigns needed based on risk assessments, with this particular campaign targeting children under 10 in Gaza.
Vaccination Amid War and Shortages
The ongoing vaccination effort takes place under the shadow of the Israel-Hamas war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel. Israel’s subsequent military response, including airstrikes and a ground operation, has led to widespread devastation in Gaza, with more than 42,000 Palestinians killed, according to the territory’s health ministry.
The war has severely strained Gaza’s healthcare system, which WHO described as “virtually depleted.” The first round of vaccinations faced major logistical hurdles due to damaged infrastructure, a lack of supplies, and significant population displacement.
Despite these challenges, the first phase was considered a success, with mobile teams, outreach posts, and health facilities ensuring broad coverage. For the second round, similar strategies are being employed, with additional efforts to raise public awareness, including radio broadcasts and digital messaging.
In recent months, 1.6 million doses of the polio vaccine have been delivered to Gaza, along with essential equipment like refrigerators, freezers, and vaccine carriers.
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, emphasized the importance of “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict to ensure the vaccination campaign can continue without interruption, stressing that “without them, it is impossible to vaccinate the children.”
Global Polio Eradication Efforts
Polio is primarily transmitted through contact with the feces of an infected individual, often through contaminated water or food. While many people experience mild or no symptoms, the virus can cause paralysis and, in severe cases, death.
The ongoing global fight against polio has successfully reduced cases of wild poliovirus to just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, outbreaks of vaccine-derived strains still occur in areas with low immunization rates. These strains, linked to the live virus in the oral vaccine, can be controlled with two to three rounds of immunization.
The novel version of the oral polio vaccine used in Gaza includes improvements designed to reduce the likelihood of the virus mutating and causing disease in under-vaccinated communities. Dr. Jafari stressed the importance of continued global cooperation, noting that “until we stop transmission of all polioviruses, children everywhere remain at risk.”
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