WHO condemns Russia for mounting attacks on Ukraine health facilities

The big picture: The resolution notes that Russia's invasion is "causing a serious impediment to the health of the population of Ukraine, as well as having regional and wider than regional health impacts."

• It also urges Russia to "immediately" cease all attacks on health care facilities and to "fully respect and protect" personnel engaged in medical duties.

Between the lines: Russia had proposed a counter-resolution that expressed "grave concerns over the ongoing health emergency in and around Ukraine," but did not include its role in causing that emergency.

• WHO member-states rejected the resolution.

What they're saying: "As children and families seek safety, the medical services they rely on must be protected," the WHO in Ukraine said on May 5.

• "The disruption of health services across Ukraine has been catastrophic, compounded by displacement and the fact millions of people remain trapped in conflict areas unable to move," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a pledging conference for Ukraine this week.

• "This puts health workers, care workers, services and infrastructure, and the health of millions of health workers at severe risk," he added.
• "But even worse than disruptions to health services are attacks on health care. Let's be clear, attacks on health are a violation of international humanitarian law. This is utterly unacceptable."

Go deeper:

• Axios explains Ukraine
• The latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information from the WHO.