Efforts to provide treatment for cancer patients in Ukraine have continued amidst the ongoing war. Only a few weeks following a Russian missile strike on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, the radiotherapy department is once again providing treatment to young patients.
Photos courtesy of Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital
The Global Coalition for Radiotherapy had the privilege of interviewing the hospital in 2022, just six months after the war broke out. In an interview coordinated by Elekta, GCR Executive Director, Darien Laird interviewed members of the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital administration and medical staff.
During the interview with GCR, Stanislav Rebenkov, Head of Radiology Center expressed his gratitude for the support they had received so far:
“Thank you to the entire international community for the enormous support it has already provided during these months. We have received a lot of help from different departments, not just radiology, and it is very supportive and helps us a lot. And we feel this support.”
Watch the full GCR Interview with Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital :
Following the recent attack on 8 July, many within the cancer community shared their reactions. GCR’s Laird said:
"My heart is with these fine clinicians and their patients. It is shocking that 2 years later we are still getting this news and hospitals caring for children with cancer are still under attack. This has to end."
The European Cancer Organisation stated:
“Humanity must triumph over barbarity and we all must play our part in achieving that.”
Read their full statement here:
GCR attended an urgent meeting of the Emergencies and Crises Network, hosted by the European Cancer Organisation. GCR provided an update from their Elekta colleagues along with the Director of the hospital, Dr. Volodymyr Zhovnir. They confirmed that they were able to restart the Linac and continue treatment, although several of the other departments have been destroyed.
The resilience exhibited by the people of Ukraine during the war is truly inspiring, particularly the courageous individuals at the hospital who are tirelessly working to save the lives of children despite the threat of missiles. GCR will continue to advocate and support Ukraine.
Learn more about the Radiotherapy Task Force and the work our global network has been doing to support patients and colleagues in Ukraine:
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