HSE to Hold Minute’s Silence for Ukrainian Health Workers

The Health Service Executive has arranged for a minute's silence to be observed at noon on Tuesday in support of Ukrainian health workers.

The HSE has asked all staff, patients and visitors present in facilities at the time to observe the silence.

HSE CEO Paul Reid said that following two years of dealing with the pandemic, "our Ukrainian colleagues are facing another monumental task working in the most arduous and tragic circumstances in the midst of a war."

He described the minute's silence as "a small gesture we as a health service, along with our patients, service users and visitors can observe. The minute’s silence is to honour those who have died in Ukraine and our healthcare colleagues who are working tirelessly and in great danger to continue to treat people in harrowing circumstances."

The World Health Organization's Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care has documented over 30 attacks by Russian forces on healthcare facilities in Ukraine since the invasion began.

"To attack the most vulnerable – babies, children, pregnant women and those already suffering from illness and disease, and health workers risking their own lives to save lives – is an act of unconscionable cruelty," the WHO said.

Last week a maternity hospital in the city of Mariupol was bombed, resulting in the death of a pregnant woman and her baby.

The HSE has donated medical equipment to Ukraine and is working with the Department of Health to coordinate more support for the besieged country.