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| Medical train Ukrain |
Even two weeks ago, Kharkiv was known as the "best medical city in Ukraine". Large areas of the city have been reduced to rubble by Russian forces for 10 days. Many have been killed by indiscriminate shelling and cluster munitions in densely populated civilian areas. That list includes children. Apart from that, the treatment of children suffering from chronic diseases was also disrupted in the war situation.
The transfer of Kharkiv's wounded and critically ill children to war treatment began on Friday night. Twelve children and their parents arrived at the Polish border on a special medical train. For this purpose some emergency medical arrangements were made on an ordinary train overnight. The passengers were Eugenia Suzkiewicz, a prominent pediatrician in Kharkiv, and a number of doctors and health workers. According to Ukrainian government sources, the children were taken to Poland for treatment.
A peace meeting between Russia and Ukraine on the Belarusian border on Thursday agreed to allow civilians trapped in the conflict to move to safer areas. Initiatives to remove sick and injured children from Kharkiv began. Under the supervision of pediatrician Eugenia, several Kharkiv doctors contacted the Ukrainian government and international voluntary organizations to rescue the children.
Among the passengers on the train to Poland was six-year-old Victoria. "My daughter has had cerebral palsy since she was a child," said Ira. Regular treatment is required. But that was not possible during the war. Ira said they were first instructed to move to the city of Lviv, not far from Kharkiv. From there they were allowed to ride special medical trains.
At least 200 more children are in need of medical treatment in Kharkiv at the moment, Eugenia said. Their priority is to take them step by step for treatment.