In Ukraine's beleaguered regions, Dr. Serhii Baksheiev has dedicated his efforts to women's health, performing vital gynecological examinations via his mobile clinic, 'The Feminine Shuttle.' Despite numerous challenges posed by ongoing conflict, he provides essential medical services to those in dire need, illuminating the alarming state of health in war-torn Ukraine.
Mobile Clinic on Ukraine's Front Line: A Lifeline for Women's Health
Mobile Clinic on Ukraine's Front Line: A Lifeline for Women's Health
Dr. Serhii Baksheiev tirelessly supports women's health amidst war, conducting over 1,000 gynecological exams through his mobile ambulance, addressing urgent medical needs in conflict-ridden areas.
In a rural area near the front lines of Ukraine, a group of women waits patiently outside a vibrant purple and white ambulance, eager to see a doctor whose head is adorned with the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag. For many, this is their first chance to consult a medical professional since the onset of the war over three years ago.
Dr. Serhii Baksheiev, 53, has been at the forefront of this crucial mission since 2022, having conducted over 1,000 gynecological examinations in frontline and occupied territories using his specialized mobile clinic dubbed 'The Feminine Shuttle'. This initiative features a bright pink examination chair and is fully equipped with essential medical technology, including an ultrasound machine and tools for minor surgeries.
"This is a humanitarian volunteering mission," says Dr. Baksheiev. "It's for people who need help, in places that lack doctors or hospitals, and it's completely free." The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Ukraine's healthcare system, with the World Health Organization reporting over 1,940 attacks on healthcare facilities since the invasion, the highest count during any humanitarian crisis to date.
When the fighting began, Dr. Baksheiev helped deliver babies in a Kyiv bunker while under constant threat of bombardment. His experience during medical volunteer missions revealed the dire lack of medical facilities in destroyed regions, prompting him to develop the concept of his mobile clinic.
Prior to this, he and his team were forced to improvise with makeshift examination spaces, utilizing old sofas that left them kneeling on the ground to conduct necessary exams. Now, equipped with a fully functional electric vehicle, Dr. Baksheiev can perform upwards of 80 colposcopies within a span of two days, providing critical services to women in isolated villages often infiltrated by Russian forces.
Reports indicate that the detection rates for ovarian and cervical cancers have dropped by 17% and 10% respectively since 2020, raising concerns about the potential health outcomes as the war drags on. Medical examinations in these areas often reveal alarmingly high rates of malignant tumors, with approximately 4% of women examined being diagnosed with such conditions.
Dr. Ulana Supron, former Ukraine health minister, expresses her worries about the ongoing health crises spurred by the war. "There is a lot of concern about the long-term health implications as the conflict continues," she explains. Despite the ongoing challenges, the Ukrainian government has managed to repair or rebuild 964 healthcare facilities that were damaged.
Dr. Baksheiev, despite facing his own battle with cancer, remains devoted to his mission, combining medical care with a therapeutic approach for his patients. "We are not just doctors, we're the therapists for these patients," he notes, as he listens to their stories of tragedy amid the upheaval of war.
