More than two years of full-scale war have had devastating consequences for the people of Ukraine. The UN reports that almost 10 million Ukrainians have had to leave their homes; 3.7 million people are displaced within Ukraine, while nearly 6 million have fled to other countries. Between February 2022 and February 2024, there have been more than 30,000 civilian casualties, according to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission.
Russian attacks have repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure and health facilities. The Ministry of Health reported in early February 2024 that 195 medical facilities. had been destroyed, and another 1,523 damaged since the start of the full-scale invasion. Two regions that have particularly suffered are the Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts, which are near the front lines. Constant rocket attacks and bombings have dealt a double blow to both the population and the medical infrastructure.
Rapid access to medical services is vital in conflict situations, where injuries and other emergencies can occur at any time. While health facilities continue to provide critical medical services to the population in these regions, their efforts are complicated by damage from rocket attacks. To continue providing essential medical services, the restoration and maintenance of health facilities that have been damaged by Russian attacks is essential.
The Mishkovo-Pohorilove Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care (in the Mykolaiv region) and the Bilozerka Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care (in the Kherson region) provide key healthcare services to the local population. Due to their proximity to the front line, these facilities suffer from almost constant shelling and attacks.
The doctors and patients of our outpatient clinic are very grateful to International Medical Corps for the provided furniture, which was lost under the rocket attacks. International Medical Corps’ support led to comfortable conditions for providing and receiving medical services.
ANDRIY KHARKIVETS, FAMILY DOCTOR, MISHKOVO-POHORILOVO AMBULATORY
Despite the danger and destruction, courageous doctors and nurses continue to provide vital medical assistance. Every day, local outpatient clinics serve about 20 patients each, with numbers rising to 30 in the colder months when viral diseases increase. Staff members in these clinics also carry out scheduled vaccinations and provide in-home care for patients in severe conditions. Their services are especially crucial for the most vulnerable people: the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses.
Working amid the conflict is a challenge; new waves of attacks bring increased difficulties for the medical teams. Rocket attacks have damaged furniture and equipment in the Bilozirka, Kotlyareve, Mykolaive and Pervomaiske outpatient clinics of the Mishkovo-Pohorilove Center of Primary Health and Sanitary Care. Attacks have also affected almost all the clinics of the Bilozerka Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care. Due to the damage to furniture, equipment and storage units, it had become a significant challenge to provide vital medical care and receive patients.
Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care.
The management teams responsible for the Mishkovo-Pohorilove Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care in the Mykolaiv region and the Bilozerka Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care in the Kherson region requested help from International Medical Corps. After assessing the challenges they faced, International Medical Corps purchased medical and office furniture for the health facilities, with the generous support of the European Union.
The purchased supplies included office tables, chairs, cabinets for documents, wardrobes, benches for the patients, baby changing tables and shelves for medicines. The team delivered it to five clinics of the Mishkovo-Pohorilove Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care, as well as four clinics of the Bilozerka Center of Primary Medical and Sanitary Care.
This new furniture and equipment now helps provide patients with access to essential treatment while maintaining the quality of service. It boosts patient comfort during consultations and even improves the organisation and storage of medications, leading to more efficient delivery of medical care.
Despite the ongoing shelling and rocket attacks, the delivery of furniture signifies the enduring resilience of Ukrainians. The medical workers remain unwavering in their commitment to providing indispensable services to those in need, regardless of the challenges they confront.
