Hospitals in Ukraine are at a 'very dangerous point' and could soon run out of oxygen supplies, WHO warns

The World Health Organization warned that hospitals in Ukraine could soon run out of oxygen, putting thousands of lives at risk.

The oxygen supply situation is nearing a very dangerous point in Ukraine, according to a statement from the WHO.

The majority of hospitals could exhaust their oxygen reserves in the next 24 hours. They said that some have already run out.

Oxygen is crucial to treat people who are sick from trauma, pregnancy complications, and infections.

Several cities have come under attack after Russia invaded Ukraine. The UN warned Saturday that the spread of COVID-19 would put additional pressure on the country's already-stretched health system.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report that more than 160,000 people have been internally displaced and more than 116,000 have fled to neighboring countries.

Tedros and Kluge said that trucks couldn't transport oxygen supplies to hospitals. They said there was a shortage of a chemical used to create safe medical oxygen.

Hospitals services were already jeopardized by power shortages and ambulances carrying patients were at risk of getting caught in the crossfire.

Tedros and Kluge said the WHO wants to increase the oxygen supply from other countries.

They said it was important to ensure that medical supplies reach those who need them.

Insider's live blog is covering developments as they happen.