The essential work of healing and saving lives is facing an unprecedented global wave of violence. A new report from Insecurity Insight reveals a disturbing escalation in attacks targeting healthcare facilities, vehicles, and dedicated medical professionals. This critical issue is brought into sharp focus by a newly launched interactive global platform, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2286. Adopted on May 3, 2016, this landmark resolution called for the protection of healthcare in armed conflict, yet a decade later, the reality on the ground shows a stark and worsening crisis. ## A Decade of Escalating Threats to Medical Care The data is alarming: since 2016, over 18,000 attacks on healthcare have been documented across 51 countries. This is not a static problem; it’s rapidly intensifying. Annual incidents have surged more than eightfold, from 470 in 2016 to a staggering 3,920 in 2024. These relentless assaults have tragically claimed the lives of over 3,800 health workers, with countless others injured, abducted, or unlawfully arrested. Such widespread violence severely cripples health systems, denying vulnerable communities access to essential medical services when they need them most. The methods of attack are also evolving. There's a concerning rise in the use of armed drones and explosive weapons, which cause extensive damage to medical facilities and contribute significantly to the death toll among medical personnel. The destruction of health infrastructure and the loss of skilled workers create long-lasting humanitarian crises, making recovery and rebuilding incredibly challenging for affected regions. ## Diverse Targets: From Maternity Wards to Vaccination Teams The impact of this violence is widespread, affecting all facets of healthcare. Maternal health services, vital for mothers and newborns, have been damaged or disrupted by violence in at least 482 documented instances. This jeopardizes safe childbirth and critical post-natal care. Vaccination campaigns, crucial for preventing infectious disease outbreaks, are also frequently targeted, undermining global public health efforts. Healthcare providers often face danger during political unrest, especially when treating injured protesters. Alarmingly, violence against healthcare has also surged during disease outbreaks like COVID-19, Ebola, and cholera, severely hindering effective public health responses at critical times. This multi-layered targeting compromises the fundamental principles of medical neutrality and access to care. ## Global Hotspots: Recent Incidents Highlight Crisis (April 15-28, 2026) Recent events across various continents underscore the immediate severity of this crisis: In **Africa**, an MSF nurse in DR Congo and a doctor in Mali were killed. Nigeria reported the abduction of a pharmacy head and a private doctor. In South Sudan, two MSF aid workers were presumed dead after a hospital airstrike. **Sudan** (since April 2023) records over 745 attacks, 206 health worker deaths, 15 kidnappings, 126 arrests, and over 200 damaged facilities, with 51 maternal health services and 55 drone-related incidents. **Asia** faces significant challenges. In Afghanistan, armed men injured 10 doctors at a hospital. India reported police assaulting three ambulance drivers. **Myanmar** (since the February 2021 coup) has endured 1,918 attacks, 173 health worker deaths, 909 arrests, 497 damaged facilities, 53 maternal health attacks, and 81 drone incidents. **Pakistan** saw multiple attacks on polio teams, including the killing of a police officer and a polio worker, and the abduction of three polio workers. A doctor was also killed in Karachi, and an ambulance fired upon. These incidents demonstrate profound risks for frontline health workers. In **Europe**, Ukraine continues to suffer. A medical facility in Sumy was damaged by a Russian drone strike, and two nurses were injured in another drone attack. Since Russia's full-scale invasion (February 2022), over 2,962 attacks, 458 health worker deaths, 423 injuries, and over 1,554 damaged facilities have been documented, making it one of the most perilous conflicts for healthcare. In the **Middle East**, an Iranian Kurdish health worker was arrested. The **Occupied Palestinian Territory** (since October 2023) has seen an alarming 3,252 attacks on healthcare, with 777 health workers killed, 673 arrested, over 471 facilities damaged, 61 attacks on maternal health services, and 150 drone incidents. Syria also reported the killing of a young doctor. These regional incidents emphasize the immediate need for protective measures. ## Broader Health Insecurity: Beyond Conventional Conflicts Attacks on healthcare are not solely confined to traditional war zones. The report details “global health insecurity” involving criminals, private individuals, or even patients. In the Americas, Brazil recorded a man killed at a rehabilitation clinic. In Colombia, an ambulance was attacked and looted. Mexico saw a fatal shooting outside a laboratory during a protest. Ecuador experienced a fatal raid on a clinical laboratory and explosive attacks on pharmacies. These incidents underscore that healthcare protection must address a broad spectrum of violence, regardless of its source. ## Upholding Neutrality: The Path Forward The tenth anniversary of UNSC Resolution 2286 serves as a powerful call to action. It is a moment to reaffirm the international community's commitment to protecting healthcare under international humanitarian law. The comprehensive data from Insecurity Insight’s new platform is a vital tool for monitoring violations and advocating for accountability. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must enhance efforts to ensure the safety of health workers and facilities, prosecute perpetrators, and uphold medical neutrality. Protecting healthcare is a fundamental prerequisite for stable societies and global health security. The upcoming webinar on June 3 offers an opportunity to engage further with this critical issue and explore evidence-based strategies for safeguarding health services worldwide.