Attacks on Ukrainian hospitals, ambulances increasing rapidly, WHO warns
The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that attacks on hospitals, ambulances and other health care facilities in Ukraine have increased rapidly in recent days and warned the country is running short of vital medical supplies, Reuters reported.
The U.N. agency on Monday confirmed at least nine people had died in 16 attacks on health care facilities since the start of a Russian invasion on Feb. 24. It did not say who was responsible.
The WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe, Catherine Smallwood, told a news briefing that the tally included incidents where ambulances had been commandeered for purposes other than emergency healthcare.
“We will continue to update those numbers. They’ve been increasing quite rapidly over the past few days,” Smallwood said.
The agency was working to rapidly supply medical supplies to Ukraine, where oxygen, insulin, personal protective equipment, surgical supplies and blood products are running low, Europe regional director Hans Kluge said at the briefing, according to Reuters.
The supply of oxygen, children’s vaccines and mental health expertise were among the WHO’s top priorities for the region, he said.
Kluge also stressed the need to prioritise the health needs of women, including maternal health and emergency obstetric care, and to respond to sexual and gender based violence.
“Past conflicts have shown us that adolescent girls, women with disabilities and elderly women are in the most vulnerable situation, Reuters reported.
“They face an increased risk of suffering attacks by people outside the home and by armed groups as well as intimate partner violence and sexual abuse and exploitation,” said Kluge.
French delegation pays courtesy call on PM Deuba
Visiting delegation of France-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba Wednesday.
During a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, the two sides discussed matters relating to the promotion of Nepal-France bilateral relations.
The three-member French delegation led by Group's chairperson Veronique Riotton arrived in Nepal last Tuesday on a five-day state visit. The delegation arrived here at the invitation of Nepal-France Parliamentary Friendship Group chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Vice-chairpersons of the visiting French delegation are Nicolas Forissier and Graziella Melchior.
On the occasion, PM Deuba lauded the support extended by France, a long- standing ally of Nepal, to Nepal's socio economic sector. RSS
Central Committee will make decision on forging electoral alliance: NC VP
Nepali Congress Vice-President Purna Bahadur Khadka said that the Central Committee meeting will make a decision on forging electoral alliance.
He said so during a press conference organised at the party office in Sanepa on Wednesday.
Saying that discussions have not been held among the leaders of ruling alliance about forging electoral alliance, leader Khadka said that the Central Committee meeting of the party will make a concrete decision on the same.
“Discussions have not been held about forging an electoral alliance. We will make a unanimous decision on forging the electoral alliance. The Central Executive Committee meeting will only decide on the electoral alliance,” he said.
Bangladesh envoy calls on CoAS Sharma
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury called on Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma Wednesday.
During the meeting, the duo discussed wide range of bilateral cooperation, including defense cooperation.
Nepal and Bangladesh work closely on issues of common interests and share similar views at various regional and international forums, including SAARC, BIMSTEC and the United Nations.
