In the turmoil of war and humanitarian crises, it is imperative to support those on the front line who are prepared to respond to urgent medical needs in extreme circumstances. It is in this spirit that Mehad is involved in Ukraine, working tirelessly to build medical capacity in a country devastated by conflict.
Recently, despite significant logistical and security challenges, Mehad organised four intensive training sessions in Odessa, Ukraine. These sessions covered a range of crucial topics, including tactical ultrasound, first aid for polytrauma, chemical risk awareness and pain management. The main objective was to train healthcare professionals to become trainers themselves, in order to develop our training programme in the southern regions of Ukraine, specifically targeting cities such as Odessa, Mykolaïv and Kherson.
Logistical and security challenges in organising training courses
These sessions took place at a time when bombs were falling and the electricity was cut off for several days. Fortunately, thanks to the presence of generators, the training sessions were able to continue, ensuring that health professionals received the training they needed in optimum conditions.
These sessions, conducted with the support of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, were designed to provide comprehensive instruction and practical experience, equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge in various medical fields. By training new trainers, Mehad is looking to expand its capacity to provide quality training and support to healthcare professionals across the region. In addition, the implementation of the training programme in southern Ukraine represents a significant step towards improving healthcare services in underserved areas and strengthening overall medical capacity.
New projects in southern Ukraine to strengthen local capacity
Since the completion of these sessions, Mehad remains committed to the implementation and ongoing expansion of our training initiatives in the southern regions of Ukraine. We continue to focus our efforts on training local medical workers, ensuring that they are competent to effectively manage the diversity of medical scenarios. In addition, we have reintroduced training on psychological trauma, recognising the importance of treating mental health problems alongside physical health issues.
All these efforts have been warmly welcomed by the local authorities. This positive impact underlines the importance of our training programmes in strengthening health systems and promoting better health outcomes in the region. Going forward, Mehad remains committed to advancing its mission of improving the healthcare system and building medical capacity in southern Ukraine and beyond.
