March 23, 2022 News

Medicines for patients of the psychiatric hospital arrived in Zaporizhzhia

Two weeks ago, the Zaporizhzhia psychiatric clinic sent a plea for help to neighbouring countries. It is running out of medicines that are essential for the care of patients with psychological and neurological disorders. Caritas Czech Republic, in cooperation with the Czech Psychiatric Society, arranged for the delivery of medical supplies. The truck arrived on Tuesday.

Destroyed hospital and lack of medicines

The Mariupol psychiatric hospital was completely destroyed by Russian bombing and subsequently looted, so patients have moved westwards to Zaporizhzhia. There, however, there is not enough capacity. Part of the reason for the increased number of patients is the fact that care for people suffering from certain neurological problems, such as epilepsy, is also provided in psychiatric facilities in Ukraine.

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"Because of the ongoing fighting, our situation is absolutely desperate. We do not have sufficient resources to provide care for our patients. At the same time, we are forced to take over the care of thousands more patients who have fled to Zaporizhzhia to escape the war. The hospital in Mariupol, for example, is completely devastated and destroyed," explains Associate Professor Mykola Khomitskyi from the psychiatric clinic of Zaporizhzhia University Hospital.

In response to the desperate situation, the Zaporizhzhia clinic has approached various organisations and governmental and non-governmental institutions in neighbouring countries asking for help. It requires medicines and medical supplies to provide care for 600 inpatients and 5,000 outpatients. In addition, the number of other patients fleeing the war is growing daily.  

Fourth shipment from Caritas is heading to Ukraine from the Czech Republic

The Czech Psychiatric Society has also received the request for help. In cooperation with Caritas Czech Republic, the necessary delivery of medicines and medical supplies was arranged. The truck with medicines for Zaporizhzhia left the Czech Republic on Friday. On Tuesday, it arrived at the clinic where it will serve patients for some time.

„Unfortunately, the raging war is hitting the most vulnerable, such as children, the elderly and patients with mental health problems. The war represents an enormous stress load and these vulnerable groups endure it even worse than the general population, and a possible failure of care can have very serious consequences for them," said psychiatrist Petr Šilhán, a member of the Czech Psychiatric Society.

This is our fourth shipment of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, we have sent trucks of power generators, sleeping bags and mattresses, durable food and hygiene supplies to Ukraine. Material humanitarian aid will continue.

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