The World Health Organization (WHO) has disclosed that healthcare facilities and personnel face attacks roughly every six hours globally, with no accountability for those responsible.

Since 2018, the UN agency's surveillance system has recorded more than 10,400 attacks across 29 countries and territories. These assaults have resulted in approximately 5,700 deaths and over 8,000 injuries, affecting hospitals, ambulances, healthcare workers, patients, and medical supplies.

Recent Trends and Impact

In the first eight months of 2026 alone, WHO documented over 900 attacks leading to at least 900 deaths and 1,400 injuries. The majority occurred in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territory, with additional incidents reported in Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Russia, Syria, and Nigeria.

Altaf Musani, WHO Director for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, highlighted that heavy weapons are the most common means of attack, followed by destruction of healthcare infrastructure and psychological violence. The agency also recorded 44 cases of healthcare workers or patients being abducted, arrested, or detained, mostly involving healthcare personnel.

Long-Term Consequences

Musani emphasized that the consequences of attacks extend beyond immediate casualties. Damage to hospitals disrupts patient care, ambulance services, medical supply chains, and staff availability. For example, a study in northwest Syria showed outpatient consultations dropped by 51% the day after an attack, with effects lasting over a month. In Sudan, 37% of healthcare facilities became non-functional in 2026, while in Gaza, all 36 hospitals suffered damage, with only half partially operational.

Since the Ukraine conflict began, WHO has verified over 3,000 attacks affecting health services, and 12 attacks have disrupted the Ebola response in the DRC since May 2026.

Calls for Accountability

WHO stresses that these figures represent real patients and services lost, with attacks instilling fear that deters people from seeking care and health workers from reporting to duty. Despite the extensive documentation of incidents, no perpetrators have been brought to justice. Musani noted WHO lacks the mandate to enforce accountability but has repeatedly urged conflict parties to be held responsible for attacks on healthcare.