The president of the international non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders has expressed concern over a series of attacks on medical facilities in Ukraine.

Christos Christou sat down with NHK in Tokyo on Tuesday.

He noted that more than 1,000 cases of attacks on medical care facilities have been reported in Ukraine since Russia started its invasion of the country.

He said he and other members of the organization are "extremely concerned" about the situation, and that such attacks should never be tolerated.

Christou said that in areas retaken by Ukraine, people did not have access to basic health facilities or essential medicine.

He explained that there are unprecedented medical needs in the areas, and that his organization provides non-food items and medication there.

The doctor added that regions occupied by Russia are not easy for his organization to access.

Christou also expressed expectations for Japan, which is serving as a member of the UN Security Council for two years. He said he wants the country to "keep defending the humanitarian imperative" and protect medical care.