[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Global violence against healthcare workers and facilities

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-14 23:22 UTC → 2026-08-18 14:32 UTC · added removed

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted a global crisis regarding the safety of medical personnel and facilities. Initial reports indicate that approximately 40% of healthcare workers face physical assault during their careers, while over 60% experience verbal abuse, threats, or harassment. This violence, which disproportionately affects nurses, paramedics, and emergency-room staff, contributes to staff shortages and burnout. In response to such vulnerabilities, some nations, such as Canada, have implemented legal measures like Bill C-3 to treat offenses against healthcare professionals as aggravating factors in sentencing. More recent data shows a significant escalation of violence specifically within conflict zones. Between January and August 2026, the WHO recorded over 900 attacks on healthcare facilities, workers, and patients, averaging more than four incidents per day. These attacks have resulted in at least 900 911 deaths and 1,400 1,486 injuries. The highest concentration of incidents is reported in Ukraine, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territory, with additional violence noted in Sudan, Myanmar, Syria, Iran, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo, South Sudan, and Russia. In Gaza, all 36 hospitals have sustained damage, leaving roughly half partially functional, while 37% of health facilities in Sudan are reported as non-functional. The WHO noted that 685 of the recorded attacks involved heavy weaponry, alongside the obstruction of medical care, psychological violence, and the kidnapping or detention of healthcare workers and patients. In Syria, medical consultations dropped by half following attacks on the health network. Despite the WHO verifying more than 10,000 attacks across 29 territories since 2018, the agency noted that no legal accountability has been established for these incidents.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-18 14:32 UTC Global violence against healthcare workers and facilities
  2. 2026-08-14 23:22 UTC Global violence against healthcare workers and facilities

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.