Ukraine

     Since the Ukraine’s conversion to an independent nation after the fall of the Berlin wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Bloc, the availability and progression of healthcare are at an alarming minimum.  The growth of the healthcare system has mirrored a somewhat bleak and backward perestroika of the country’s political sphere and culture since early 1990.  Because of high unemployment, corruption, low salaries, large emigration, many destroyed families, and alcoholism, the social hardships in Ukraine are very apparent.  L’viv is an ancient city, est. 1256 by Prince Danylo Halyts’kyi, in the Western Ukraine, that serves as a medical capital for its region’s 2.61 million inhabitants and those of the surrounding rural areas [source: L’viv Regional State Administration at www.loda.gov.ua].
     Unfortunately, in L’viv, the healthcare situation is similar to the rest of the nation.  There is practically no health insurance in Ukraine.  To visit a doctor is very expensive and a luxury many people cannot afford.  People who need surgical procedures must buy their own supplies including suturing material, disinfectant, antibiotics, braces, bandages, etc.  The prices of medicines and procedures are too high for most people, and completely unattainable according to their salaries.  This is why many suffer for years from treatable illnesses like hypertension, heart problems, and stomach ulcers.
     In L’viv, many physician-patient relationships are heavily reliant on bribes. Healthcare for neonates and geriatrics is especially poor due to a lack of specialty centers dedicated to these demographics of the population. Patients understandably instill trust in their doctors, but unfortunately, even though a physician may be as competent as his training at the institute would allow, there is still a terrible scarcity of the most basic medical prophylactic and diagnostic supplies and equipment.
     In conclusion, during the last two years of my travel to the Ukraine, I noted an overwhelming need for supplementing and supporting every aspect of the healthcare system, from the amount of staff on hand, to the need of privacy for patients, hygiene at the facilities and the lack of equipment.  This somewhat desolate situation especially made an impact on me as I noted the physical lack of space and preparedness (and, of course, tools) to accommodate the large population of this L’viv region.  During my stay in the Ukraine, I visited several medical facilities that differ in size, management, and the ability to perform different medical procedures.  There is one facility, Medical Center Bogdan that makes an effort to provide care and an environment as closely as possible resembling those of Western standards.  Doctors and nurses overcome multiple obstacles to bring up the level of care for their fellows Ukrainians there and his facility is my contact in L'viv.     --Anna Grodzinsky, MS III
 

Needs List:

*Any help and materials at all are of need and will be utilized on location*

Bandages and dressing:
Band-aids
Bandages
Gauze
Dressing sets

Diagnostics:
Blood pressure cuffs
Stethoscopes
Otoscopes
Ophthalmoscope
Thermometers
Reflex hammers
Penlights

Immobilization:
Collars
Backboards
Splints
Pedi immobilizers

Surgical equipment:
Surgical gowns
Surgical tools
Surgical scrub brushes

Disposable medical supplies/equipment:
Gloves
Face masks
Syringes
Needles

Other:
Diabetes testing supplies (meters, strips, lancet device, lancets)
Glucose tablets
Disinfectants and antiseptics [e.g. alcohol swabs, iodine, Neosporin)
Vitamins (Multi!!)
Analgesics (Asprin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
Burn products
Blankets and pillows
AEDs