Ukraine's health minister promised support from WHO after confirmed healthcare attacks 

Canada's federal health minister has pledged to rally international support for the restoration of Ukraine's embattled healthcare system, whose facilities and ambulances were targeted during the Russian invasion.

"I am certain that not only Canadians, but people all over the world are appalled and distressed by the devastation the invasion is wreaking on Ukraine's vital health-care workers, health infrastructure, and access to medical supplies," Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos wrote to his Ukrainian counterpart, Dr. Viktor Liashko, on Thursday.

Canada, according to Duclos, will also back Ukraine at the upcoming G7 health ministers meeting in Berlin and the World Health Assembly in Geneva next week. We will talk about how the G7 can help Ukraine's healthcare system in the future.

The letter was also written to the G7 health ministers and Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Institution, the United Nations' global health organization.

The World Health Organization (WHO) requested a probe into Russian strikes on Ukrainian health institutions this week, after verifying more than 200 such occurrences since the conflict began.

"As a physician myself, I am particularly disturbed to hear the doctors claim that all of the health care institutions have been severely destroyed by fire," Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, said recently in the Ukrainian province of Chernihiv Oblast.

"Healthcare should never be the ultimate goal," Duclos informed Ukraine's health minister that he would co-sponsor his resolution underlining the significance of retaining the country's healthcare employees, medical assistance, and healthcare facilities.

Historically, Canada has provided health care and assistance to Ukraine, but Duclos believes that Canada must do more. "We can and must continue to provide assistance and support," he said. Duclos has also requested a meeting with Liashko to go over specifics.