Ukraine's Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said in an exclusive interview with NHK on the 10th that about 1,200 hospitals and clinics have been damaged since the start of Russia's military invasion, which has had a serious impact on medical care. clarified.
Among them, Health Minister Lyashko said that as of the 6th of this month, 1,192 hospitals and clinics had been damaged by attacks by the Russian military, of which 67% had not been repaired and 23% had not been repaired at all. I stressed that it wasn't working.
On top of that, "Attacks on medical facilities are expressly prohibited by the Geneva Conventions. Since the end of World War II, there has been no such damage to medical facilities as in this attack by Russia, and Russia will be held accountable." I will be caught," and strongly criticized.
In addition, Health Minister Lyashko said, ``Unfortunately, ambulances cannot go near the front lines even if there is a heart attack or stroke,'' and Russia repeatedly attacked infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Access to medical care has also become difficult, he said.
In addition, some hospitals have no choice but to concentrate the electricity and heating necessary for surgery and pediatrics where children are treated, as medical care has to be prioritized due to power shortages. I explained that I was stuck.
He also expressed his recognition that the domestic medical situation is becoming extremely severe, such as being forced to seek cooperation from neighboring countries.
People who get sick in the severe cold, power shortage due to attacks on infrastructure facilities
In Ukraine, where attacks on infrastructure facilities by the Russian military have led to power shortages, many people have become ill due to the severe cold.
At a clinic near the capital Kyiv, we continue to struggle to protect local medical care while using generators.
The clinic in Hostmel near Kyiv has been occupied for over a month since the invasion by the Russian army in February last year and was severely damaged, but has been repaired since April last year and continues to provide medical care.
Approximately 100 residents visit the clinic every day, but it is said that more and more people are sick due to the severe cold and complain of colds and other symptoms.
On the 10th, even in the daytime, the temperature dropped to minus 3 degrees Celsius, and there was a power outage in the area.
The number of residents visiting the clinic is increasing day by day, and Melnick, the director, said, ``The number of patients with respiratory diseases has increased by about 40% due to the cold weather. There are two times a day, but I manage to deal with it while using a generator."