Responding to the growing crisis in Ukraine, the Executive Committee of the European Cancer Organisation has today issued the following statement:
We are receiving appalling reports of violence against healthcare facilities in Ukraine. This is inexcusable and reprehensible. The UN Security Council has previously – and unanimously – passed resolutions emphasising that attacks on health workers are war crimes. These attacks on Ukrainian health facilities that are causing loss of life and human suffering must end immediately.
During this conflict, it is the firm belief of the European Cancer Organisation that every country in Europe has an ethical duty to facilitate the intake of Ukrainian cancer patients seeking treatment and care. We believe the EU and other inter-governmental bodies should help each country play its part in a coordinated manner. Neighbouring countries should be supported in receiving those in need, including cancer patients and their caregivers.
Andreas Charalambous, President of the European Cancer Organisation, said:
“We are in active conversations with the World Health Organization and European Commission about how the cancer community can provide assistance. The European Union, WHO and medical aid agencies have our full and proactive support, and access to all our networks.
“We are also working with our member societies, patient advocacy organisations and individual experts, to provide further advice and action on mitigating some of the terrible humanitarian impact arising from the crisis.
“Now is a moment to fight division with powerful acts of togetherness. A European relief effort for Ukrainians already suffering from cancer and other serious diseases should be one such act.”
More information here.
