The World Health Organisation has listed Nigeria among countries affected by attacks on healthcare, saying more than 10,400 incidents have been recorded globally since 2018.
The incidents occurred across 29 countries and territories and resulted in about 5,700 deaths and more than 8,000 injuries, according to the health agency.
WHO said more than 900 attacks were recorded between January and August 2026 alone, leaving at least 900 people dead and more than 1,400 injured.
Countries listed among those affected this year include Nigeria, Ukraine, Lebanon, Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Russia and Syria, as well as the occupied Palestinian territory.
The surveillance system covers attacks on hospitals, healthcare workers, patients, ambulances, warehouses and medical supply chains.
WHO said the incidents included the use of heavy weapons, destruction of medical facilities and psychological violence against health workers and patients.
Altaf Musani, WHO Director for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the effects often continued long after the immediate attack.
A damaged hospital could leave patients without treatment for days or weeks, prevent ambulances from making referrals and interrupt medicine distribution.
WHO also recorded dozens of incidents involving the arrest, detention or abduction of health workers and patients during the first eight months of 2026.
In Nigeria, insecurity has affected access to care in areas experiencing terrorism and violent extremism.
Attacks and threats have forced some health facilities to close or operate below capacity, while unsafe roads have disrupted the movement of patients, workers, vaccines and medicines.
WHO cited evidence from other conflict zones showing that medical consultations can fall sharply after attacks on facilities.
The agency said healthcare systems in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had also suffered severe disruption.
Musani said none of the more than 10,000 verified attacks had resulted in anyone entering an accountability process.
WHO said it did not itself have the mandate to prosecute perpetrators but continued to call for stronger accountability and protection of healthcare during conflict.
