Appraising war's impacts on neurosurgical delivery in Ukraine

Abstract

The conflict in Ukraine, which started when Russia invaded and violated its sovereignty, has led to the country's worst war since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The war has resulted in a significant number of casualties, displaced millions of people, and damaged the healthcare system, which was already struggling before the conflict. The neurosurgical field, in particular, has been severely affected, with infrastructure and healthcare systems routinely demolished or interrupted in conflict zones, making fundamental medical operations unavailable to victims of armed conflict. As a result, neurosurgeons have been compelled to conduct surgeries outside of their areas of competence, in makeshift settings or under challenging conditions, with limited access to materials and equipment. The war has also severely damaged specialised neurosurgery facilities, causing a severe shortage of crucial supplies and equipment. To address the challenges facing neurosurgery care in Ukraine, it is essential to rebuild and repair the damaged neurosurgical centres and provide them with the necessary equipment and supplies to successfully administer neurosurgical treatments. Training programs for neurosurgeons and other medical specialists must also be organised to manage complex neurosurgical problems under difficult conditions.

Pilotstudie zu beruflicher Gratifikation und Gesundheit

“…Neben der stattgehabten SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie spielen zwischen Juni und September 2022 die militärischen Auseinandersetzungen in der Ukraine eine bedeutende Rolle für ukrainische Onkologen bei Ausübung ihrer Tätigkeit [30]. Ärztliches Handeln während bewaffneter Konflikte stellt eine besondere Herausforderung dar, weil insbesondere die Infrastruktur und die Gesundheitssysteme in den Konfliktgebieten routinemäßig zerstört oder unterbrochen wurden [79]. Ärzte erleb(t)en Übergriffe, Einschüchterungen, sogar Misshandlungen während sie allen Menschen ohne Diskriminierung helfen oder dieses taten [30].…”

Craniomaxillofacial trauma in war‐torn nations: Incidence, management gaps, and recommendations

“…Health care systems are essentially destroyed by war, resulting in more individuals without access to health care, particularly surgical care, and limited access to medical supplies. 2 , 3 Studies demonstrate that insufficient medical infrastructure and knowledge may profoundly impact the service grade. For instance, a study of 607 surgeons conducted in Tripoli, Libya, in 2014 and 2015 revealed that more than 81% of those polled claimed that insufficient hospital equipment made it difficult to successfully treat explosion injuries.…”

“…Massive damage to their health care infrastructure led to the exodus of highly trained medical professionals, particularly surgeons, and economic devastation, making it challenging to uphold traditional health care standards. 2 , 3 …”

“…1 Before their wars, most of the war-torn nations had low-and middle-class incomes and lacked the resources to provide effective emergency, trauma, and surgical care; nevertheless, the wars have only worsened the situation.Massive damage to their health care infrastructure led to the exodus of highly trained medical professionals, particularly surgeons, and economic devastation, making it challenging to uphold traditional health care standards. 2,3 Despite having the highest needs, these war victims had the lowest surgical outcomes, necessitating a complex, multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach made up of a range of experts and other nonphysicians. In poor countries with political unrest and military conflict, CMFTs are major global sources of mortality and morbidity.…”