American Councils continues to denounce Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including the recent air strikes that injured over 150, killed at least 39 people, and caused significant damage to the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Hospital in Kyiv. Through its headquarters in Washington, DC and field office in Kyiv, American Councils has worked closely with Ukraine and tens of thousands of its students, educators, businesspeople, and public sector leaders since its independence in 1991.
Several weeks ago, American Councils provided funding to Okhmatdyt, the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine, for the second time through our Emergency Support for Ukraine Initiative. This support went to Okhmatdyt’s Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology to acquire medical equipment essential for the delivery of critical care to the people of Ukraine. Okhmatdyt has bravely continued its operations since the war’s onset in 2022, providing aid to sick, injured, and displaced children amid ongoing repercussions from Russia’s unjustified and brutal aggression.
American Councils’ recent funding to Okhmatdyt allowed for the purchase of laparoscopic equipment that enables doctors to perform interventions with greater precision, reducing the risk of trauma and blood loss, and promoting faster recovery for young patients. The acquisition of this equipment is a significant milestone for the hospital, allowing it to perform a wide range of surgical procedures with improved outcomes and greater support for the healthcare of Ukrainian children. "We have received extremely important equipment for our work,” says Dr. Iryna Vsevolodivna, head of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.
This contribution from American Councils builds on funding provided in 2023 that enabled Okhmatdyt to purchase essential diagnostic and supportive equipment, including a colposcope, a gynecological examination chair, and diagnostic software to replace older equipment. American Councils ongoing collaboration with Okhmatdyt ensures that essential medical resources are available to those who need them most, enhancing the hospital's ability to provide top-quality care to its young patients even during the ongoing invasion. American Councils remains committed to supporting Okhmatdyt’s mission to improve medical care for all women, children, and future mothers of Ukraine.