Sharp Rise in Cancer Diagnoses Across Occupied Donetsk
A dramatic increase in cancer cases is unfolding in the temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk region, driven by severe shortages of medicines, an exodus of medical professionals, and the conversion of civilian hospitals into military infirmaries. This alarming trend was reported by Glavcom, citing data from the resistance movement Yellow Ribbon.
Activists note that the occupation authorities have publicly acknowledged the worsening cancer statistics. In areas near the front line, roughly 88% of doctors report a rise in advanced-stage cancer diagnoses compared to pre-war levels. Before 2014, the occupied Donetsk region had about 170 hospitals; now, only 48 medical facilities remain. Many of these have been repurposed as military hospitals, severely limiting civilians' access to essential care.
Root Causes of the Medical Collapse in Occupied Territories
The collapse of healthcare in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) stems from several key factors:
- a chronic lack of critical medications;
- a mass departure of skilled medical staff;
- the conversion of civilian medical facilities to serve the Russian military.
In occupied Luhansk, the extreme shortage of medical personnel is being addressed by deploying first-year students to work without proper supervision—a practice that significantly increases risks for patients.
The cancer situation in the occupied territories highlights systemic failures in healthcare provision caused by war and occupation. The absence of qualified doctors and essential medicines endangers hundreds of patients who need urgent treatment. Restoring medical infrastructure and ensuring access to care are critical steps to improve public health in these regions.