Ukraine: Hospitals Operating in Emergency Mode Due to Winter and Attacks
23.01.2026
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Winter and intensified Russian attacks are forcing Ukrainian hospitals to operate in emergency mode. Patients are being redirected to facilities with alternative power sources, as those without them cannot guarantee warmth or uninterrupted operation of medical equipment. Medical points and ambulances are attacked daily – in the first weeks of 2026, almost 70% of attacks on healthcare worldwide occurred in Ukraine.
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“We have to admit patients in facilities where indoor temperatures are just +3–5°C,” says Bogdan Awramenko, coordinator of the Polish Medical Mission in Ukraine.
Prolonged Power Outages Affect Ukrainian Hospitals
Healthcare facilities in Ukraine have been facing power outages for the second consecutive week. The lack of stable electricity exposes patients and medical staff to low temperatures and makes it difficult to operate essential medical equipment. Vulnerable groups are particularly affected – doctors are directing mothers and newborns mainly to facilities with backup power.
One such facility is the Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology in Kyiv, home to the Association of Neonatologists of Ukraine, which collaborates with the Polish Medical Mission.
“The institute currently admits newborns and mothers from across the Kyiv region because it can provide stable heating and electricity supply,” emphasizes Bogdan Awramenko.
Challenging Conditions in Frontline Areas
The situation is especially difficult in frontline regions, such as Kharkiv and Sumy, where PMM mobile clinics operate despite interruptions in water, heat, and electricity supply. Basic connectivity is also disrupted – phones, laptops, and tablets run out of battery, and heating devices cannot be used.
“Lack of communication is particularly severe for doctors – often they cannot contact their families all day to ensure their safety, especially after shelling,” Awramenko adds.
Doctors are forced to treat patients in facilities with indoor temperatures of just +3–5°C, which further threatens patient health.
Polish Medical Mission Supports Patients and Staff
PMM clinics in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions conduct approximately 1,000 medical consultations per month, primarily for elderly patients, with seniors over 65 making up more than half of those treated.
Across Ukraine, the Polish Medical Mission also supports pregnant women and newborns by providing medical equipment and conducting training for doctors and patients. The project is co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, enabling neonatal wards in Ukraine to continue functioning despite harsh winter conditions and ongoing attacks.
