Updated Protocols for Medical Facilities During Air Raid Warnings in Ukraine
The Ukrainian government has introduced revised operational protocols for medical institutions that correspond to different levels of air threat. These guidelines outline how healthcare personnel should act and ensure patient safety during air raid alerts. Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky emphasized that these measures are designed to help medical facilities adjust to evolving security challenges.
Categories of Air Threat Levels
Under the new system, a yellow alert—triggered by drone attacks—allows hospitals to continue normal operations while guaranteeing full access to shelters for staff, patients, and visitors. Conversely, a red alert, signaling an elevated risk of missile or combined strikes, requires patients and medical staff to take refuge in shelters. Nevertheless, critical medical treatments that cannot be interrupted will still proceed.
“Patients who cannot be relocated will receive care in the safest available rooms. Shelters and these protected spaces will support ongoing medical treatment, medication distribution, and patient accommodation.” – Serhiy Koretsky
Emergency medical services will operate continuously regardless of the alert status. Facilities will accept urgent cases at all threat levels. Dispatch centers remain fully operational, coordinating ambulance teams to respond promptly. The government has also mandated enhanced protection for key hospital areas, including:
- Operating rooms
- Intensive care units
- Maternity and emergency departments
- Rooms housing backup power supplies and vital medical equipment
On September 3, the Cabinet of Ministers formalized the division of air raid alerts by danger level: yellow for drone attacks and red for significant missile or combined threats. Additionally, the government approved measures to adapt the functioning of state bodies, businesses, and infrastructure to the new patterns of Russian aerial assaults. For Kyiv, it recommended shortening the curfew hours from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Koretsky particularly highlighted the importance of safeguarding locations where patients cannot be quickly moved.
These changes respond to the escalating risks posed by aerial attacks, prompting the healthcare system to evolve accordingly. The updated rules aim to ensure uninterrupted medical services and protect patients during heightened threat situations. The government stresses the necessity of prompt and effective responses during air raid alerts, emphasizing that emergency medical assistance will remain accessible even under the most challenging conditions.
These updated protocols are part of a broader effort to enhance the resilience of Ukraine's healthcare system during times of crisis. For a more comprehensive understanding of how these guidelines delineate operational procedures based on varying threat levels, you can explore the details in our article on new government protocols for healthcare operations during air raid alerts.