Partner Support Enables the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center to Acquire State-of-the-Art Equipment, Says Medical Director

In a recent interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Serhiy Chernyshuk, the medical director of the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center, emphasized the significance of partner support, especially from international governmental organizations, in providing the center with cutting-edge medical equipment. This support has proven vital for the center's ongoing operations and its ability to deliver high-quality care to its young patients.

Chernyshuk recalled the severe damage the Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center sustained during a missile attack by the Russian Federation on the 'Okhmatdyt' clinic in the summer of 2024. He stated, "A portion of the equipment was irreparably damaged during the missile strike, as our building is located merely 10 meters from the facility that was hit. Consequently, the shockwave passed through our center, resulting in significant damage to both the building and nearly all of the equipment." This incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by medical institutions in conflict zones.

Among the key partners that provided assistance to 'Okhmatdyt' and the center was the German governmental organization GIZ. Chernyshuk noted, "With GIZ's financial support, a range of equipment was procured for the building located on the territory of Okhmatdyt, including specialized devices manufactured by the German company Draeger, such as the Babyroo TN300 for infants up to one year old, which come equipped with advanced life-support and heating systems. Additionally, we acquired the latest artificial ventilation device utilizing NAVA technology, which reads the child's diaphragm signals, allowing the machine to perfectly adjust to each breath, as well as a stationary X-ray machine, Examion, to assist both children and adults with cardiac conditions."

The medical director expressed hope for continued support from German partners, including the government, state organizations, and German businesses, particularly manufacturers of medical equipment. He stated, "The Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center is continually striving to update its medical equipment and technical base. This is an ongoing process, as any medical institution aiming to be modern and deal with complex pathologies constantly requires equipment updates or the acquisition of new technologies."

Chernyshuk also announced that construction has begun on another building for the center. He explained, "As this new facility is being constructed, it will inevitably need to be equipped with medical equipment. This equipment is quite costly, including CT scanners, MRIs, and angiographs, all necessary for treating children with various pathologies using minimally invasive methods. We are discussing the prospect of involving German partners in equipping this new building, as German manufacturers are among the best in these fields."

Furthermore, Chernyshuk highlighted that in recent years, particularly since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the center has received assistance from various funds, large foreign companies, clinics, and partners from other countries who have found resources or persuaded local businesses to help. He expressed hope that this willingness to assist will not diminish in the future, stating, "Any hospital that aims to be modern constantly requires some form of equipment or its renewal. New technologies are emerging globally, and if we want to be on par with the best institutions in the world, we need to update our medical equipment."

It is important to note that the Ministry of Health of Ukraine's Children's Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Center has received modern high-tech medical equipment purchased with funds from the German government and transferred through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The total financial aid package from the German government for the restoration, re-equipping, and modernization of the 'Okhmatdyt' hospital, as well as for supporting four Ukrainian children's hospitals, amounts to approximately 10 million euros.