The full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation has had a devastating impact on the Ukrainian healthcare system. Since 24 February 2022, 1129 attacks on the healthcare system were documented, 1006 medical facilities were damaged or destroyed, and 78 medical workers were killed as reported by World Health Organization. The situation is further complicated by the destruction of logistics infrastructure and the forced displacement of medical personnel from areas of ongoing conflict or intense shelling. As a result, local residents are left without access to quality medical care.
Thanks to the project of mobile gynecological teams implemented by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, women from remote areas of 22 regions in Ukraine have the opportunity to receive a range of free sexual and reproductive health services. Specialists from the mobile gynecological teams also provide consultations for men when needed. As of today, the mobile gynecological teams have conducted over 100,000 consultations. It is important to note that 70 percent of diagnoses were established by the specialists from the mobile gynecological teams for the first time.
"Today, mobile brigades are a significant aid in providing consultations for women in remote areas. Sometimes, women haven't visited a gynecologist for over 10 years, as many conditions develop painlessly, and they don't see the need to consult a doctor. However, during brigade visits, medical experts identify illnesses that could have been avoided with regular check-ups. With timely detection, over 90 percent of illnesses are completely curable," notes Ivan, a doctor from the mobile gynecological brigade in Donetsk region.
In June of this year, the 25th mobile gynecological brigade started operating in the Donetsk region. During the first month of work, 311 women utilized the services of the mobile gynecological brigade. Signs of various illnesses were detected in 167 of these women.
"As soon as the curfew ends, I start preparing for departure. Our brigades from Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk are combined, so in the morning, before visiting patients, we cover quite a distance. Typically, during one visit, we can examine over 20 patients. Mobile gynecological brigades are very relevant and necessary for Donetsk. Not only for providing medical consultations to residents but also for simply supporting people," shares Anastasia, a midwife from the mobile brigade in Donetsk region.
Additional Information:
Mobile gynecological brigades operate as part of humanitarian response initiatives by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, with financial support from the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, and the Republic of Korea. For more information regarding the area of sexual and reproductive health: https://ukraine.unfpa.org/en/topics/sexual-and-reproductive-health
The vehicles of the mobile gynecological brigades were purchased with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
