South Middlesex Times

Rutgers researchers, in collaboration with international partners, have unveiled the extensive damage inflicted on Ukraine's hospital system by the ongoing war. The conflict has led to the closure or reduction of operations in hundreds of Ukrainian hospitals since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The study reveals that damage, destruction, and supply shortages resulting from the war have significantly undermined the nation's healthcare system and had severe implications for public health.

In a study published in JAMA, researchers from Rutgers and collaborators from the United States, Pakistan, and Ukraine gathered and compared data on hospital services provided before and during the conflict (from Feb. 23, 2022 through May 30, 2023). Prior to the invasion, approximately 720 hospitals were operational in Ukraine. By April 2023, only 450 hospitals remained open. Out of these remaining hospitals, 74 from 12 out of Ukraine’s 24 provinces not under Russian occupation participated in the study.

Ubydul Haque, an assistant professor at Rutgers Global Health Institute and lead author of the study stated: “The war has devastated Ukraine’s hospital system, leaving it ill-equipped to meet the needs of a population in crisis.” He added that this research sheds light on the realities facing hospitals in war-affected regions and their urgent need for support.

The researchers discovered that while emergency medical care services increased during this period, there was a decline in several other areas. These included laboratory testing (13 percent), tobacco education (13 percent), cancer screening (24 percent), gynecological services (26 percent), rehabilitation services (27 percent), pharmacy services (25 percent), and telehealth programs (36 percent).

Hospitals reported disruptions to supply chains affecting essential equipment and pharmaceuticals. There were also shortages of laboratory test kits and delays in medication delivery due to power outages disrupting storage facilities. Furthermore, staff numbers reduced while work hours increased. Maternal and newborn health were negatively impacted, and there was a decrease in the availability of essential services, including ambulances, defibrillators, ventilators, and hospital beds.

The researchers acknowledged that some impacts of the war on hospital functioning remain unclear. The most affected areas may be underrepresented due to their inaccessibility for study purposes. Also, the hundreds of hospitals that were destroyed or unable to operate could not be represented in the data. The study also found that the war reduced access to vaccines, potentially leading to higher incidences of infectious diseases.

Haque further commented: “The weakening of Ukraine’s hospital system means that health care workers are struggling to meet emergency needs but also to provide essential preventive care and ongoing care for chronic conditions.” He emphasized the potential long-term negative implications for the health of Ukraine's population.

Contributors to this study included Emily S. Barrett and Nancy Fiedler from Rutgers School of Public Health and Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute; Miraj Ahmad from Rutgers Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience; as well as several institutions in Ukraine such as Kharkiv National Medical University, Poltava State Medical University, Overseas Council – United World Mission, National Aerospace University, and Sumy State University.