The World Health Organization has reported a sharp increase in attacks on healthcare services in conflict-affected areas, saying more than 900 incidents have been recorded globally between January and August 2026.
The attacks have killed at least 900 people and injured more than 1,400, according to data presented by the WHO on Friday. The figures amount to an average of more than four attacks against healthcare each day.
Altaf Musani, WHO Director of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the highest number of reported incidents this year had occurred in Ukraine, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Other countries where attacks have been documented include Iran, Sudan, Myanmar, Syria, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Health workers and patients among victims
Musani said the incidents have taken several forms, ranging from attacks involving heavy weapons to the destruction of hospitals and other medical infrastructure.
Healthcare workers and patients have also been detained or abducted. According to the WHO, 94 healthcare workers have been detained during the period under review.
The consequences extend beyond the immediate casualties, Musani said, because damage to medical facilities can prevent patients from receiving treatment long after an attack has occurred.
He noted that attacks can also destroy ambulances, disrupt referrals and interfere with the delivery of essential medical supplies.
Gaza’s hospitals severely affected
The situation in the Gaza Strip remains particularly severe.
According to the WHO data, all 36 hospitals in Gaza have sustained damage, while only about half are still operating even partially.
Sudan is also facing major disruption, with 37 per cent of health facilities reported to be non-functional this year.
In Ukraine, the WHO has verified more than 3,100 attacks on healthcare since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. The incidents have affected hospitals, ambulances, medical warehouses and supply networks.
The agency recorded 156 verified attacks in Ukraine in 2026 alone, including a recent incident involving a WHO warehouse.
Attacks disrupt disease control
The WHO warned that violence against healthcare can also undermine efforts to control infectious diseases.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, 12 attacks on healthcare have been verified since an Ebola outbreak was declared in May.
Musani said the incidents have interfered with disease surveillance, contact tracing, treatment and efforts to educate communities about the outbreak.
He warned that such disruptions can delay the detection of new infections and make outbreaks more difficult to contain.
Evidence from previous conflicts also demonstrates the longer-term impact.
A WHO study examining 69 attacks in north-western Syria found that outpatient consultations dropped by 51 per cent immediately after an attack and remained below normal levels for more than a month.
More than 10,000 attacks recorded since 2018
The latest figures form part of a much larger pattern.
Since the WHO began systematically monitoring attacks on healthcare in 2018, the organization has verified more than 10,400 incidents across 29 countries and territories.
Those attacks have resulted in approximately 5,700 deaths and more than 8,500 injuries.
Despite the scale of the incidents, Musani said none of the more than 10,000 verified attacks had entered an accountability process.
He stressed that verification was only the first step and that attacks must also be investigated and addressed.
Healthcare facilities and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
The WHO said continued attacks not only endanger patients and health workers but also weaken entire healthcare systems, making it harder for affected populations to access essential services during and after conflicts.
