Hospitals in Sloviansk, where an armed standoff continues between the militia and a Ukrainian law enforcement contingent, are experiencing serious problems and all of them remain closed on June 16, said Olena Petriayeva, acting deputy director of the health department in the Donetsk regional state administration.
“The situation is the worst in Sloviansk, where we had to evacuate and close almost all medical establishments. Only the town hospital continues providing primary care services to patients. The ambulance service is another serious problem. Ambulances remain idle as there is no fuel. The nearest filling station is on Kramatorsk, but ambulances are not allowed to travel there,” the regional administration’s press service quoted Petriayeva as saying on June 16.
She also said that medical services at outpatient clinics “are extremely limited and are provided by personnel who still remain in Sloviansk.”
Shortages of medicines are the worst in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, she said, adding that disinfecting means, antibiotics and bandages are being spent particularly intensively.
“Shortages of pain management drugs are very serious. On the whole, their stock is sufficient to last until the end of June, but information has arrived that anesthetics are in short supply,” she said.
“We are looking for a possibility to supply medicines to clinics and we are in talks with the Ukrainian military involved in the anti-terrorist operation and with the Donetsk People’s Republic representatives to secure permission for our vehicles to pass the checkpoints. Both meet us halfway,” Petriayeva said.
Many doctors chose to leave the clinics, she added.
