Local and American volunteers have donated medical equipment for treating limb injuries to the Zhytomyr Regional Clinical Hospital named after Herbachevsky. With the help of this equipment, 50 soldiers can be treated, Valeriy Yakovlev, head of the orthopedic and trauma department of the Zhytomyr Regional Hospital named after Herbachevsky.

Valeriy Yakovliyev demonstrated the carbon half-rings as well as the fixators for the ilizarov apparatus provided by the donors.

“We amputated very few legs over the year, most of the rehabilitation was for normal prosthetics. I was taught that it is better to walk on your own leg, even if it is crippled, than on a prosthesis. And the guys are happy with it. Mine-blast trauma is very common in our country nowadays,” Valeriy Yakovlev.

Valeriy Yakovlev. Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photographer: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

These tools were donated to the hospital by representatives of the Zhytomyr Community Foundation and volunteers from the United States. Zhanna Solovyova, chairman of the board of the Zhytomyr Community Foundation, said that this is another visit of American volunteers with another batch of equipment.

“We appreciate their help and realize how important it is to receive this costly equipment in our current circumstances,” said Zhanna Solovyova.

Zhanna Solovyova. Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

Hands on Global spokesperson Valerie Helerman says that the medical equipment was purchased with funds donated by Americans.

“When the full-scale invasion began, many Americans started donating to our organization to help Ukraine. And when they found out that we needed medical equipment, their donations were directed to this area. Our team traveled to Romania, where we received the equipment. It was ordered back in March 2022 and has now been delivered. We managed to raise more than $100 thousand to buy orthopedic braces,” says Valerie Helerman.

“The regional hospital is in real need of renovation of the emergency room,” says Valerie Helerman, “Yesterday a representative of the New Ukraine organization, which is based in California, came here to discuss how much money is needed to help the regional hospital renovate this department. Moreover, we are planning to donate more equipment to the hospital within a year.”

Valerie Helerman. Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

Vitaliy Khomenko. Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr

Zhytomyr, March 21, 2023. Photo by: Iryna Kyrylovych for Suspilne Zhytomyr