On 23 January 2023, WHO donated 26 ambulances to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to enable the provision of emergency medical care to patients during the war.
With continuous attacks on health care in Ukraine, WHO supports Ukraine’s health-care system during the war and delivers life-saving medical supplies and equipment in coordination with the Ministry of Health and other partners,” explained Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. “These ambulances will help save lives and bring vital care to people in Ukraine amid the war.”
The donation includes 6 patient transport ambulances and 20 mobile intensive care unit ambulances, equipped with oxygen tanks, defibrillators, transport ventilators and other medical devices, that will allow the transportation of seriously injured patients to health facilities.
Since 24 February 2022, more than 30 ambulances have been donated to the Ministry of Health by WHO and its partners. More ambulances are set to be delivered later this year.
Minister of Health Dr Viktor Liashko noted, “Every single day war brings new challenges to our life and work. We have all faced lots of losses and destruction, but our main task remains the same – to take care of people's health. I’m sincerely grateful to WHO for their significant help and comprehensive support. Thanks to our joint efforts, the Ukrainian medical system continues to work. Today, these ambulances start saving the lives of Ukrainians.”
The delivery was made possible with funding from the European Union (EU). Ms Claudia Amaral, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine, said, “Hundreds of health-care facilities have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Together with humanitarian partners like WHO and in close coordination with the Ukrainian Government, we support the health-care system so that the Ukrainian health-care workers can continue saving lives across the country.”
WHO has delivered more than 2000 metric tonnes of life-saving medical supplies to Ukraine since the war began. Deliveries have included power generators, ambulances, oxygen supplies for medical facilities, supplies for trauma and emergency surgeries, and medicines to help treat noncommunicable diseases and more.