April in Ukraine

By: Dr. Ambereen Sleemi, Executive Director

Josh and I traveled to Uzhhorrod in western Ukraine this past April, bordering Slovakia and close to Hungary. A collaboration with several local Ukranian organizations and medical teaching institutions led to a most fruitful visit. The trip was a culmination of months of planning and coordinating with partners both in the US and in Ukraine.

We met with Dr Volodymyr Smolenka, rector of the Uzhhorod National University and renowned neurosurgeon, as well as Dr. Oleg Devinyak, the dean of the medical school. We got an in- depth tour of the medical school, including the simulation lab and classrooms, with an overview of curricula and how students education has been affected by the ongoing conflict.

Dr. Smolenka in the OR

Dr. Oleg (medical school dean) Mariya, Josh, and Ambereen

A tour of a local lab that gives much support to victims of the war followed by a visit to the National maternity hospital gave further insight into the challenges of supporting medical needs during these difficult times. We also met the head of the Ob/Gyn department and staff, hearing concerns of the care of the local population and IDP’s who have come to this city to flee the war.

This was followed by a meeting with the local Ukraine non-profit community organization Heart to Heart, which gave important insight into how orgs have pivoted to meet the needs of the community, those wounded by war as well as IDP/s, many who have made their way to Uzhhorrod, swelling the pre war population substantially. A tour of a local warming centers supported by Zonta’s Ukrainian clubs during fuel and electrical outages this past winter, was another illustration of how the conflict affects all in Ukraine.

Thankful to meet with Uzhhorrod’s National law school Dean Yaro and faculty to discuss how local laws and the medical community can support women who are survivors of both intimate partner violence and rape as it is being weaponized in this war. As IMR is committed to caring for the vulnerable and marginalized, this issue is important for us to support in any way we can. We learned much about legal and law enforcement guidelines and will plan to work collaboratively to further how the medical community can collaborate in these efforts.

Dean Yaro and the law school faculty

Press conference with local partners and local journalists

We were invited to speak to members the local Zonta Uzhhorrod and Lviv clubs, med students and community members on IMR’s past and ongoing work and how we fit into partnerships in local projects. We also presented at a local press conf (watch it on youtube in Ukrainian ) along with our local NGO colleagues and answered questions about our plans to work with the local medical and community groups to support medical education and community health, including our goal to work with local Zonta chapters and Heart to Heart to care for women who are survivors of IPV and rape.

We’re returning this November to work with local medical institutions to enhance medical education and provide support to a new pilot program providing women IDP’s gynecologic and psychologic care. We extend a heartfelt thanks to all who welcomed us so warmly and a special thanks to Mariya, our IMR Ukrainian youth ambassador in Uzhhorrod and Pete Bober, Zonta member. We thank you for your ongoing support and have much more to do! Please consider a donation here.