Healthcare on the front line in Ukraine: reaching communities 5–60 km from active hostilities

Operating at distances of 5–60 km from active hostilities these teams reach populations trapped by constant shelling and severe security constraints.

This initiative is implemented by WHO in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Academy of Family Medicine of Ukraine (AFMU), with financial support from the European Union.

Reaching the most vulnerable

The primary outreach teams are reaching around 30,000 of the most vulnerable people trapped near the front line. The majority of people served are elderly residents and women with children — women account for over 70% of all patients, reflecting the demographic reality of these communities. Nearly one in ten consultations involves a person with a disability, and approximately 13.65% of patients are internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have relocated from other areas and lack the means to move further from danger.

In Mariivka village, Zaporizhzhia region, local resident Yuliia Siliutina describes the reality on the ground: "There's no transport, and the security situation here is extremely dangerous. Drones hit cars, people, even children. We can't even call for an ambulance because there's no signal of mobile connection. For people here, these teams are one of the only sources of help left ".

Of the 121 locations covered, 61 locations 5-25 km, 43 locations 26-40 km and 17 locations 41-61km from frontline. The geographic coverage is continuously adjusted to reflect the evolving security situation and frontline movements.

"Where infrastructure is damaged and health workers have left, people still need consistent primary health care. This intervention delivers exactly that — qualified staff, rooted in their own communities, reaching those with no other option," said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine has left communities near the front line without access to basic medical services. These outreach teams are filling that gap — bringing care to the most vulnerable people in the most dangerous areas," said Marianna Franco, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid office in Ukraine.
Non-communicable diseases represent the largest share of consultations, alongside mental health support, infectious disease care, and immunization — underscoring the need for sustained primary care.

Early-recovery solution

Unlike mobile clinics designed as short-term emergency responses, this intervention is built for early recovery as well. Primary outreach units are staffed by doctors and nurses from Ukraine's existing health system — many of whom live in nearby communities. In addition to delivering care, the programme helps retain health-care workers in frontline areas, ensuring that qualified staff remain present and available when recovery begins.

Continuity of care is supported through integration with the national health-care system, repeat patient follow-up, digital medical records, and referral pathways to higher levels of care when needed. Close coordination with regional health authorities, local communities, the Health Cluster, and humanitarian partners ensures uninterrupted health-care delivery across war-affected areas.