Attacks on health workers and facilities globally are increasing

A new report from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition finds that in 2019, there were more than 1,200 instances of violence against health care workers across 20 countries. The report, put together by the network of nongovernmental organizations that works to protect health workers and infrastructure around the world, says that the uptick from 973 incidents in 2018 may be due to more reporting rather than increased violence, but that the overall number of attacks against health workers is still likely underreported. More than 650 health workers were hurt in the 2019 incidents, 151 of whom died — most were in Syria. Beyond health workers, the report also found that 216 health facilities were damaged or destroyed across 19 countries.