Lviv Honorary Ambassador, President of the World Federation of Ukrainian Medical Societies Andriy Bazylevych took part in the meeting of the 126 General Medical Assembly. The event was held from 24 to 27 May in Germany with the participation of 17 medical associations and 250 delegates.
Speakers discussed the consequences of the pandemic, the need to increase the number of jobs for doctors, and the increase in the number of places in educational institutions for medical students. During the speeches, they also talked about climate change, remote development in public health care, tariffs for medical activities and DRG-system.
The President of SFULT, Professor Bazylevych, told how Ukrainian doctors and the health care system now live during the war, and also thanked the German medical community for comprehensive assistance to Ukraine.
“The war that Russia is waging against the civilian population of Ukraine has dealt a severe blow to the health care system of Ukraine. A large number of hospitals, maternity hospitals, pharmacies were partially or completely destroyed. More than 600 health care facilities were destroyed or damaged, more than 100 of them are not subject to restoration. Medical equipment was stolen or destroyed. Unfortunately, at least 12 health workers were killed and 46 injured. Many were forcibly taken to Russia.
And hospitals and medical institutions that are in a relatively safe area are still in constant danger due to the threat of rocket attacks. Women have babies in unsuitable spaces. Emergency operations are forced to be carried out in spite of an air alert or in basements. At the same time, the medical system should provide assistance in double or triple scope due to the constant increase in the number of injured persons, both military and civilian, among whom also affected children of different ages.
We especially appreciate the help we receive from the whole world and from Germany in particular. We are grateful to the German government, namely the medical community, which immediately responded and launched a major relief action for Ukraine. An aircraft, the so-called “flying hospital” for transporting Ukrainians who were injured in the war with russia, has been allocated. This aircraft has already sent Ukrainian wounded several times, who are now receiving medical care in various clinics in Germany. We thank the medical staff and hospitals that provide assistance to the civilian and military victims, as well as to the refugees.
We thank the Technical University of Dresden for assisting medical students in their exchange studies with the possibility of further studies at medical universities. I thank all educational institutions for such initiatives. Thank you to universities and research laboratories for the opportunity to continue the researches. Thank you to a large number of medical institutions, universities, pharmacies, NGOs, manufacturers of medical products, as well as German citizens for the medicines and medical equipment we receive in large quantities from you.
We thank all medical institutions, a large number of German organizations and the entire German nation, who help Ukraine in various ways every day during this incredibly difficult time.
We really feel this great support from colleagues all the time. For our part, we are trying to facilitate the rapid arrival of assistance in the right direction, coordination between medical institutions and organizations that provide assistance… “, Andriy Bazylevych said in his speech.
The President of the Medical Association, Dr. med, K. Reinhard,. German Minister of Health, Mr. Dr. med.K. Lauterbach, who once again stressed the support of Ukraine and Ukrainian doctors addressed the congress with greetings.
