Home >> Countries & Projects >> Ukraine >> Hospital & Rehab Ministry
The photo above shows the team at our base at Motovylivka unloading medical consumables, which we are continuing to send frequently to Ukraine along with humanitarian aid of all kinds. We also receive donations of medical equipment at our UK warehouse, from crutches up to hospital beds, from the NHS, businesses and individuals. This aid is taken by our Ukraine team to the areas of the country where it is most needed, we work with over twenty civilian and military hospitals across the country, supporting chaplaincy teams as well as medical staff.
We have been sending medical aid and equipment from the UK to Ukraine and to other countries right from the beginning of our ministry. The photo right shows our Founder and CEO, Rev. Bernard Cocker, with Andrie, who had severe problems with his spine and head fifteen years ago. He was told his condition was inoperable by several doctors, but the local church took him to see Dr Orest. Dr Orest is a neurosurgeon who International Aid Trust first helped in 1992, sourcing and sending the instruments that he needed to make complex surgeries possible. For many years he has performed free surgeries for people in need after Church each Sunday.
Andrie says, “I thank God that Doctor Orest helped me so much, my legs used to fail me completely… I also had a very large tumour in my head, it took seven hours to remove. Praise God and thank you for your support!” You can watch a video of this wonderful testimony here: https://youtu.be/UCYmq5A_e3g
A more recent request for specialist equipment has come from Professor Serhii, who is pictured below let, teaching students at his hospital in the south of Ukraine. Professor Serhii performs a lot of reconstructive surgery for civilians and soldiers injured in the war, operating at the hospital and also out in the field on the front-line.
Thanks to fundraising in the UK led by our volunteer Dr Ling Lee, we have been able to purchase a Prescott’s Featherlite microscope, which can be disassembled in less than 5 minutes and is transported in a luggage case, with lens are fitted for plastic and neurosurgery. This portable microscope will enable Professor Serhii to operate effectively out in the field and so save more people from having amputations and ultimately save more lives.
From the early days of .our ministry in Ukraine, International Aid Trust have supported projects that help to heal people physically, mentally and spiritually.
Our New Jerusalem Rehabilitation Centre has made a huge difference for many struggling with alcohol and drug dependency, it has very high recovery rates and the team there see many former addicts come to faith and go on to be part of various Christian ministries. Our team in Odessa have been a strong support for patients with AIDS and Tuberculosis in specialist hospitals, providing pastoral care, holding church services and delivering equipment and consumables that we have been able to send.
Alongside emergency support for those injured in the war, we are working on some long term projects to help people affected by the war. One of these projects for Ukraine’s future is Rephidim Rehabilitation Centre for injured soldiers. It is led by Alex, a good friend of International Aid Trust for over twenty years, who loves the Lord and has a heart for those in need. The name “Rephidim” (Exodus 17) means a place to ‘Rest in The Lord’. Thanks to a great response by UK supporters to an appeal for equipment, we were able to send a full articulated lorry to help with setting up the centre, pictured being unloaded.
We thank God for all donations of medical aid, equipment and finances to support hospitals and rehab centres in their work. We praise God for how he has used these to heal and bless people in Ukraine. We pray for all the medical staff and chaplains working in hospitals, medical facilities and rehabilitation centres during the war to know God’s help and strength. We pray especially for Professor Serhii and team that the new portable microscope will be a great blessing.
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