Dr. Serhii Baksheiev has been a beacon of hope for women in war-torn Ukraine, conducting over 1,000 gynecological examinations since 2022. His mobile clinic, founded in response to war-related healthcare shortages, plays a crucial role in addressing women's health needs in inaccessible areas while facing significant challenges.
A Lifeline for Women's Health Amidst War: Dr. Baksheiev's Mobile Clinic
A Lifeline for Women's Health Amidst War: Dr. Baksheiev's Mobile Clinic
In the midst of ongoing conflict, Dr. Serhii Baksheiev provides vital gynecological care to women in Ukraine through his innovative mobile clinic, 'The Feminine Shuttle.'
In a rural part of Ukraine, women stand patiently outside a striking purple and white ambulance, known as 'The Feminine Shuttle,' waiting for their turn to receive medical care. Among them is Dr. Serhii Baksheiev, 53, sporting a head shaved in honor of the Ukrainian flag, who has conducted over 1,000 gynecological examinations since embarking on his mission in 2022. For many of these women, this is their first medical encounter since the war's onset over three years ago.
The mobile clinic, equipped with essential medical tools including an ultrasound machine, offers free and accessible healthcare in regions devastated by the ongoing conflict. "This is a humanitarian mission for those in need, in places devoid of medical facilities," Dr. Baksheiev explains.
The turmoil of war has severely strained Ukraine's healthcare system, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recording over 1,940 assaults on health facilities—the most in any humanitarian crisis to date. This number has reportedly escalated since December 2023. Initially, Dr. Baksheiev served in a bunker in Kyiv delivering babies while under bombardment, but as medical volunteer work revealed the extensive destruction of health services, he was inspired to create a mobile clinic.
"My team and I witnessed the dire lack of gynecological services in areas that had seen severe damage," he reflects. Without proper examination tables, they were compelled to improvise with whatever they could find, often conducting exams on old sofas. Today, however, Dr. Baksheiev proudly showcases the fully-equipped mobile ambulance, which can perform up to 80 colposcopies in just two days.
Operating in occupied areas necessitates discretion; Baksheiev and his team often conduct missions under the radar, retreating before any potential detection. Data from Ukraine's public health ministry indicates worrying trends, such as a drop in the rates of ovarian and cervical cancer diagnosis by 17% and 10% respectively since 2020, combined with an alarming increase in identified malignant tumours during examinations.
Health experts, like Dr. Ulana Supron, former health minister, warn of a 'ticking time bomb' regarding public health as the conflict endures, highlighting growing concerns for both physical and mental health among the affected population. Even amidst personal health struggles, specifically Dr. Baksheiev's diagnosis of cancer in September 2024, he remains dedicated to his mission, linking physical care with emotional support for his patients.
"We aren't just doctors; we're listeners to their stories," he notes. "Our patients frequently recount the experiences of Russian attacks on their communities." Amidst the war's chaos, Dr. Baksheiev's mobile clinic stands as a critical resource for women, restoring essential healthcare where it is scarce.
