WHO records 438 attacks on healthcare in Eastern Mediterranean

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says healthcare facilities, workers, patients and medical transport in the Eastern Mediterranean Region were attacked, on average, once every 12 hours in 2026.

Dr Annette Heinzelmann, Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, said this on Thursday during a WHO webinar, saying 438 attacks had been recorded.

According to Heinzelmann, the attacks had also caused more than 1,120 injuries, with the region accounting for nearly half of globally registered attacks and more than 80 per cent of associated deaths.

She said the attacks affected healthcare workers, patients, ambulances and health facilities, creating consequences that extended beyond immediate incidents and weakening communities’ ability to access essential health services.

“On average, healthcare is attacked once every 12 hours in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” she said, adding that the daily average represented about four people killed and more than six injured.

Heinzelmann said damaged facilities, killed or injured health workers, unsafe ambulance movement and disruption of essential services could leave communities without adequate access to healthcare long after attacks occurred.

She said the resulting disruption could reduce health systems’ capacity to provide treatment, respond to emergencies and support recovery, particularly in settings affected by conflict, displacement and limited health resources.

The WHO official emphasised that international humanitarian law clearly protected health workers, patients, healthcare facilities and medical transport, noting that documentation of attacks should not be regarded as an endpoint.

She said prevention, preparedness, accountability, political commitment and practical measures before, during and after attacks were required to ensure healthcare remained available and protected for affected populations.

Heinzelmann said such measures were particularly important for populations affected by armed conflict and humanitarian emergencies, where attacks could further weaken already constrained health systems and access to essential services.