WHO Aims to Mitigate Sanctions Impact on Healthcare Sector

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working "every day" to reduce the impact of sanctions on the healthcare sectors of countries subjected to such measures. This was discussed by Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, during a press briefing with reporters, as reported by RIA Novosti.

At the beginning of January, the Belarusian delegation had stated during a meeting of the WHO Executive Committee that Western sanctions are causing issues in the supply of medications and medical equipment to the republic.

"We will continue to work to mitigate the impact of coercive measures, but we cannot comment on the political nature of these sanctions, as that is not part of our work. It is a decision for sovereign states," said Mike Ryan in a press briefing with UN-accredited journalists.

Ryan added that most sanctions regimes include exemptions for medicines; however, banks and suppliers remain hesitant to do business with countries under sanctions.