Nearly 1500 health workers were attacked or arrested in 2021, report finds

In 2021, 1335 incidents affecting healthcare were reported across 49 countries and territories in conflict, with hospitals destroyed, workers killed, and ambulances hijacked, a report by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition has found.1

The report found that nearly 1500 health workers were affected, with at least 94 assaulted, 161 killed, 170 kidnapped, 320 injured, and 713 arrested. A total of 188 health facilities were destroyed or damaged. There were 223 incidents where armed conflict parties entered health facilities, and 82 where armed conflict parties occupied health facilities. Additionally, 111 health transport vehicles were damaged or destroyed, and 64 were stolen or hijacked.

Writing in the …