Development despite the war

The project of reconstruction of the polyclinic building of city hospital No. 8 in Odesa was implemented within the framework of the financial agreement between Ukraine and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Support was provided by the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine (UNDP). Ukrinform correspondents learned how the work of the medical institution changed after that.

THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH CHANGES WERE POSSIBLE DURING THE WAR

Polyclinic building of city hospital No. 8 in Odesa was built in 1964. Since then, it has not been overhauled. The hospital, which has always been famous for its highly qualified specialists, received more and more patients from year to year. Therefore, the hospital's inpatient facility was moved to a separate four-story building in 1984.

And hands reached the polyclinic only in 2016, when a plan for its reconstruction was developed. A year later, the project was supported by UNDP in Ukraine. About one million euros were needed for its implementation, of which the EIB provided 600,000, the rest was contributed by the city. Reconstruction began in 2020.

As explained by the head doctor Maria Bobkova, the premises of the polyclinic were renovated with the funds of the EIB, and new furniture was purchased with the money allocated by the local authorities.

"At first, the repair dates were delayed due to the coronavirus, then due to the full-scale war. But on July 4 of this year, the renovated polyclinic opened its doors to the residents of Odessa. We have a completely different, modern department. Although many did not believe that such changes were possible during the war," says Bobkova.

According to her, the department was replanned for rational use of space. The foundation of the building was strengthened, and special staff rooms were arranged in the basement. Engineering communications, ventilation and power supply systems were replaced, which is extremely important for the hospital. They also insulated the facade, covered the roof, replaced windows, doors, and the floor.

Hospital staff are trained by last year's experience, so they are preparing for possible blackouts this winter. A powerful generator has already been installed in the inpatient department, and a similar one should appear in the polyclinic in the near future.

Soon, they plan to open a trauma center with a modern X-ray room, which Odesa has been waiting for for a long time.

"Lead plates are coming from Poland for the X-ray room. The opening of a communal trauma center in a hospital is extremely important. After all, up to 300,000 people live in our Kyiv region - approximately the same number as in Cherkasy. The trauma center will work around the clock," Bobkova said.

A functional diagnostics room should also be opened in the polyclinic.

THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

In front of the entrance to the polyclinic, a special lift was installed, which replaced the old inconvenient ramp. Wide doors allow people in wheelchairs to enter the hospital without obstacles. On the first floor there is a special toilet.

An examination chair, designed taking into account the needs of people with disabilities, was installed in the gynecologist's office.

"I have regular patients in carts. After the reconstruction, it is convenient for them to visit the polyclinic, in particular, the gynecological office. When we remember the conditions under which we worked before, our hair stands on end," says doctor Andrii Ambrosiichuk.

Other offices, in particular the procedure room, were also arranged in such a way that people with disabilities were comfortable.

"We have been waiting for repairs for more than 30 years. And here they have done so much, they have completely updated the office," says procedure nurse Lyudmyla Sedunova.

THE MEDICAL FACILITY CAN SERVE OVER 300 PATIENTS DAILY

Pavlo Berdov, a trauma surgeon, says that the surgery room was completely redesigned.

"We also have two full dressing rooms and a plastering room at our disposal. New equipment was installed everywhere. Working in such conditions is a step into the future," says Berdov.

He has been working in Odessa since June last year. Together with his family, he evacuated from Kherson. At the end of April, he left the then-occupied city under mortar fire from the Russians. The doctor says that he chose Odessa for a reason: he loves the sea very much. He says that he plans to stay here with his relatives.

The polyclinic also has such doctors as a therapist, an otolaryngologist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, an endocrinologist, an ophthalmologist, a gynecologist, and a urologist. There is also a family medicine clinic and a laboratory where, in particular, complex biochemical blood tests are carried out.

The medical facility can currently serve more than 300 patients daily, which is a third more than before the reconstruction.

"We are finishing repairs in traumatology, X-ray office. But most of the specialists in the polyclinic are already providing services. The most popular specialists in the summer were a surgeon and an otolaryngologist. It became comfortable for doctors to work. And the patients who have been visiting our facility for years and remember its condition are simply delighted," says Maria Bobkova.

The Emergency Loan Program for the Recovery of Ukraine (UERP) is a multi-sector framework loan of the European Investment Bank in the amount of 200 million euros. Thanks to such an initiative, local authorities have the opportunity to restore social infrastructure, improve the living conditions of internally displaced persons and the communities that host them. Within the framework of the program, more than 100 objects of education, health care, social housing and other important social infrastructure in Ukraine have already been successfully repaired. These are Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Poltava, Odesa, Kherson and Kyiv regions. The program is implemented by the Ministry of Reconstruction, the Ministry of Finance and local self-government bodies with the technical support of UNDP.

Anna Bodrova, Odesa

Photo by Nina Lyashonok