Between Wednesday and Friday last week, an MSF surgeon helped treat 20 wounded at a health facility in Kiev, Ukraine, following violent clashes between anti-government protestors and police that left at least 77 people dead and hundreds wounded. The surgeon provided minor surgery for bullet- and blast wounds as well as fractures. In the coming days, MSF will reinforce its emergency team with additional staff in order to be prepared for changing needs in this fast-paced context.

'Traumatised'

“For the moment, the situation is relatively calm in Kiev, and medical services are functioning well” says Morten Rostrup, MSF’s medical emergency coordinator in Kiev. “However, some of those affected by the violence are traumatised and we will reinforce our mental health support. We are also monitoring the situation closely in case the situation changes here or elsewhere in the country”.

In the coming days, two MSF psychologists will join the team in Kiev to provide mental health support to those affected by the violence. In addition, MSF will continue making punctual donations to health structures. Up until now, MSF has donated medical material such as an operation table, infusion stands, operation lamps and stretchers to health structures and hospitals in Kiev.

Emergency team to assess health needs

MSF also plans to send exploratory teams to other locations in the country, looking at assessing health infrastructure in these areas. The medical emergency team on the ground at the moment consists of a surgeon, an anesthetist and a doctor.