Radiotherapy in conflict: lessons from Ukraine.

Abstract

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Feb 24, 2022, has created a massive humanitarian crisis for Europe and degraded or destroyed a wide range of health-care infrastructures, including cancer care. The impact of this conflict comes on top of low-level war between Russian-backed forces in the eastern Donbas region since 2014, which had already created huge challenges for Ukraine's health-care system. Unlike many other countries worldwide affected by conflict, Ukraine's population had access to a moderately well developed cancer care system, including radiotherapy systems. The economic burden of cancer care for Syrian refugees: a population-based modelling studyCancer among the Syrian refugee population represents a substantial financial burden for host countries and humanitarian agencies, such as the UN Refugee Agency. New ways to provide financial assistance need to be found and must be coupled with clear, prioritised pathways and models of care for refugees with cancer. Full-Text PDF Open AccessConflict in Ukraine undermines an already challenged health systemThe invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February, 2022 looks set to create another 21st-century humanitarian disaster, joining the protracted conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, and Darfur, Sudan. Over the coming weeks millions of people will be displaced both internally and to neighbouring countries. The international community must provide far more humanitarian support, including medical evacuations all over Europe, immediate visas, appropriate care and support for displaced populations, and increased financial assistance to host countries. Full-Text PDF