Providing children in communities affected by shelling with comfortable and safe treatment

In the Dnipro Oblast, Nikopol is separated from the Russian-occupied territory only by the Dnipro River, which has become unrecognisable after the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam. The city is always red on the alert map, shelled by artillery and drones around the clock. Amid the air attacks, we arrived in the once 120,000-strong Nikopol. The picture is depressing: many damaged houses and the gloomy autumn streets are nearly empty. However, everything changes as soon as you cross the threshold of the local children's rehabilitation centre. The renovated rooms are bright and filled with light and, most importantly, noise and laughter. The staff tries to work according to a strict schedule to avoid crowds of young patients and their parents. Against the backdrop of this deserted city, it is somewhat unusual to see so many children. 

"We serve up to a hundred people a day. It all depends on whether there is shelling or not. We take children from Nikopol and other towns and villages within about 120 kilometres," says Iryna Khmelevska, director of the centre.

The war has had a very negative impact on children's health. At the centre, they receive medical consultations and rehabilitation. For their parents, the centre has become a consolation in difficult times. They come here to talk and get support and psychological help if needed.

The director is very proud that she managed to gather the best specialists. Even during the facility's closure for several months due to intense shelling, the doctors continued to work remotely. 

"Our patients are children with lesions of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, orphan diseases, and visual and speech impairments. Our centre is at the forefront of rehabilitation. We employ neurologists, cardiologists, paediatricians, and physiotherapists, providing a wide range of services," continues Ms Iryna.

The centre accepts children from birth. There is a maternity hospital in Nikopol. Sasha was born there 5 months ago. His mother always weighs the threat well before leaving the house and going to the rehabilitation centre. Carelessness can cost lives. 

"We go to physical therapy every day. There are a lot of children here, so it would be great if someone could repair the shelter. Even now, when we were leaving, they started shooting. We had to make a choice: stay at home or go to the centre for physical therapy. We will have to stay at home if there is no reliable shelter. The centre should have a comfortable shelter so we can come without fear," says Alyona.

The day before our visit, a shell hit a facility in Nikopol, killing a young doctor who worked there. Before the blast shattered windows in the children's rehabilitation centre. Fortunately, the staff and patients there were not injured. The centre has a shelter in case of air attacks, which the staff prepared themselves. It is immediately noticeable that they tried to make the children's shelter as cosy as possible. They laid linoleum, brought a TV and toys, made sofas out of pallets and carefully covered them with pillows. This homey feel is in stark contrast to what is happening outside. The threats of shelling can last several hours, and there is not even a comfortable toilet inside. The building needs significant repairs and is unsuitable for the children's extended stays.

"We need to repair and equip the shelter. We need to expand the entrance and install a lift that will allow us to bring children down in wheelchairs. We also really need a rotary lift to the 2nd floor to take children with limited mobility upstairs. We also need a new rehabilitation track," the director specifies.

The rehabilitation centre in Nikopol is one of 15 institutions we are already repairing or will repair as part of our project to restore hospitals and support pediatric medicine in Ukraine. Thanks to the donations of the Czech people and a significant contribution of a private donor, Ivo Lukáčovič, we will improve the conditions for young patients and staff in medical institutions in Kharkiv, Sumy, Konotop, Zaporizhzhia, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Dnipro, and Kherson. 

"The list of work needed in hospitals and maternity homes is very long and includes repairing and equipping bomb shelters, preparing for winter, repairing rooms and bathrooms, and improving accessibility. Our partner, Première Urgence Internationale, will provide these institutions with critical medical equipment and materials. In some hospitals, repairs are almost complete. We strive to provide and guarantee the war-affected population the opportunity to receive quality medical services," shares the details of the project Viktor Gladchenko, Shetler Technical Lead at PIN.

The staff of our selected institutions work in challenging conditions, contending with frequent shelling and power outages. However, most doctors have remained in their places to care for their patients. Iryna Khmelevska, director of the Nikopol Children's Rehabilitation Centre, has two degrees and vast experience and could have easily found a job in a safer city. Instead, she chose to stay with her home and patients, explaining, 

"Everybody has to go somewhere. But to just up and leave? I have 105 people working for me and a lot of specialists. Children come all the time. I have known these children since birth, and I treated their parents. They need help. How can I leave them?"

We also cannot leave sick children without help and attention, as they become especially vulnerable when they are hospitalised, especially in times of war. We believe recovery will happen quicker in a safe and comfortable environment.