When the Central District Hospital in the Ukrainian town of Volnovakha, just 34 km from the frontline of Ukraine’s military conflict, started having difficulties with oxygen supply in 2019, WHO installed an oxygen generator there to prevent disruption of lifesaving care for patients, along with core equipment for washing and disinfection of medical devices. When COVID-19 hit, the oxygen generator, which is energy self-reliant, has proved significantly helpful to support patients, according to nurse anaesthetist in the hospital, Larysa Belykova.
In March, WHO also delivered more than 7000 protection kits to Chernivtsi Province Hospital, located in the first province in Ukraine to detect COVID-19 infections and the hardest-hit after the capital Kyiv. The kits included medical masks and particulate respirators, gloves, goggles and protective clothing, and nurse Nadiya Labanda hopes that ample supplies will continue to be delivered on time.
WHO has also supported Ukraine’s Centre for Nursing Development, created by the Ministry of Health to improve the rights of nurses and midwives in Ukraine’s healthcare system, from its very start, providing training and education materials. In this time of COVID-19, the Centre and analytical platform VoxUkraine developed an educational video about how to effectively use masks, gloves and protective gowns, under the watch of centre director Kateryna Balabanova.
In Emilia Romagna, the Italian region hit second hardest by the virus, Director of nursing and technical services Silvia Mambelli at the region’s local health authority describes the many challenges that had to swiftly met, including organizing meticulous training on preventing infection, both to protect healthcare professionals and fight the growing fear among them. The health authority closely followed WHO guidelines, she said, and deployed virology experts in mobile units to reach all health-care facilities, including long-term care facilities for older people.
Read the full story:
Nurse anaesthetist Larysa Belykova faces the challenges of military conflict and COVID-19 in Ukraine
Nadiya Labanda: coordinating nurses in Ukraine’s COVID-19 epicentre
Kateryna Balabanova advocates for the rights of nurses in Ukraine
Silvia Mambelli: how the COVID crisis is uniting the Italian health workforce
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19