As part of its “For All” mission, Atrium Health Navicent has donated 78 pallets of medical supplies, enough to fill three tractor trailers, to charities providing humanitarian assistance in war-torn Ukraine.
The conflict in the Ukraine has had devastating effects on the country’s hospitals, which are in dire need of medical supplies as health workers provide critical care to civilians and wounded soldiers.
“In addition to increasing access to high-quality health care for members of our own community, it’s important that we extend our ‘For All’ mission to others in their time of need,” said Atrium Health Navicent President Delvecchio Finley. “We are proud to share these much-needed supplies with doctors and nurses in the Ukraine so they can better care for the sick and injured patients who rely on their medical intervention for survival.”
The more than 35 tons of medical supplies donated include thermometers, exam gloves, gowns, cleaning supplies and other items.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, United States hospitals grappled with supply-chain difficulties, and we can only imagine the struggles felt by Ukrainian hospitals during this time of conflict. We’re pleased to make this donation in hopes that our Ukrainian counterparts can use these supplies to provide medical care during their time of need,” said Charles Platt, assistant vice president of supply chain management for Atrium Health Navicent.
Dr. Tatyana Sklyarevskaya, a radiologist with Radiology Associates of Macon, is one of the volunteers who helped to organize the supply donation. As a native of Ukraine, it’s a mission close to her heart.
“I was born in Ukraine and, even though I came here many years ago, I try to do whatever possible to help Ukraine,” said Sklyarevskaya, also known as “Dr. Sky.” “The Ukrainian people really appreciate the kindness of people in the U.S., for all the help they receive every day. The greatest need is with wound care. There are lots of injured civilians and military members who are trying to protect Ukraine. Every day, trains of wounded soldiers and civilians come into hospitals.”
Many of those trains lead to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which is the destination for Atrium Health Navicent’s donation. In addition to an influx of wounded soldiers, the region also faces challenges associated with infectious disease risk and the vulnerabilities experienced by the millions of people who have been displaced.
“People just get sick, from viral infections, COVID and the flu. This is where the donation of gloves and disinfectants come in handy. Viruses do not stop despite the war, and a lack of electricity and heat doesn’t help either,” Sklyarevskaya said.
The International Ukrainian Crisis Fund and Project C.U.R.E. provided transportation for the donation and delivered the items to hospitals in Kyiv, the country’s most populous city.
Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to address the staggering shortage of medical resources around the world. Its work in Ukraine began in 1994.
“Project C.U.R.E. is deeply committed to meet the health care needs of people around the world. Seldom do those needs rise to the level of the war in Ukraine. This fact drives our humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine. We will continue to assist with requests for assistance to meet the needs as a result of this horrible, ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. We will continue shipping C.U.R.E. cargo containers and airlifts because our partners continue to rely on these important emergency medical supplies to treat the wounded, who are daily facing the worst atrocities of combat,” said Alyssa Miller, logistics manager at Project C.U.R.E.