Ukraine Gets Lifeline From Dr Baksheiev

On the War’s Edge: A Doctor’s Lifeline for Ukraine’s Women

A lone medic’s mission in a custom ambulance brings vital healthcare to thousands of women cut off by conflict, revealing a deepening crisis of cancer and trauma on Europe's bloodiest frontline.

A Mobile Beacon of Hope

In the quiet despair of a village huddled near Ukraine's volatile conflict zone, a queue of women forms. They wait patiently beside a distinctive medical vehicle, painted violet and pale white, a symbol of hope in a landscape scarred by war. This marks the first time in over three years that many have seen a medical professional. At the centre of this operation is Dr Serhii Baksheiev, a 53-year-old specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology. His cropped hair is colored in the vibrant national hues of blue and yellow. He has performed over a thousand gynaecological check-ups since 2022 from his specially outfitted mobile clinic. The vehicle, which he calls 'The Feminine Shuttle', even contains a vibrant rose-coloured diagnostic seat.

A Mission Born from Devastation

Dr. Baksheiev states his work is a compassionate, unpaid undertaking. He clarifies it serves individuals requiring assistance in locations that have no medical professionals or permanent facilities, and his services come at no charge. The conflict with Russia has put immense pressure on the medical infrastructure of Ukraine. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the period following the full-scale hostility has seen over 2,200 verified assaults on medical centers. This total is unprecedented for any global emergency, and such aggressions have markedly increased since late 2023, systematically dismantling the infrastructure designed to protect life.

From Bunkers to Back Roads

At the conflict's outset, Dr Baksheiev was stationed in a Kyiv underground shelter, aiding in childbirths while explosions occurred overhead. He said the concept for a travelling medical office emerged during later humanitarian trips to the conflict area. These missions starkly revealed a scarcity of resources because clinics and other medical buildings were totally obliterated. He recounted visiting heavily impacted cities like Chernihiv and Kharkiv. The supreme challenge, he noted, was an inability to offer reproductive health care due to an absence of necessary instruments and supplies, since all infrastructure was demolished. In those early days, his crew had to utilize whatever items they could find, such as discarded couches, for patient evaluations, which often required him to get down on his knees.

Image Credit - BBC

The Feminine Shuttle in Action

Today, Dr Baksheiev is immensely satisfied with his electric-powered transport's functionality. The vehicle contains all the necessary items his team might need in these isolated regions. The shuttle is furnished with a sonogram device and instruments for small surgical procedures. During a single 48-hour deployment, the crew can conduct as many as eighty colposcopy procedures. This process involves checking the vulva and cervix for indicators of malignant or pre-malignant growths. This task, frequently performed covertly for safety, is a vital lifeline for individuals residing in these isolated rural regions near the fighting.

A Ticking Time Bomb of Health Crises

The effects of a failing medical system are becoming tragically apparent. Figures from the public health authority of Ukraine show a significant drop in cancer discovery since 2020. Diagnoses for ovarian cancer have fallen 17%, while those for cervical cancer have dropped 10%. When physicians like Dr Baksheiev can access these communities, they discover a greater frequency of cancerous growths than is typical. The organization FRIDA Ukraine, for which Dr Baksheiev provides his time, indicates that as many as four percent of all female patients receive a diagnosis for these kinds of tumours. This suggests a silent epidemic is growing in the war's shadow.

Echoes of a Looming Catastrophe

Dr Ulana Supron, who served as the nation's health minister between 2016 and 2019, voices apprehension about an escalating crisis of health consequences the longer the war persists. She explained that within the public health sector, there is significant concern regarding future developments as the conflict endures. The issue goes beyond physical wellness into mental well-being. The population is affected by persistent anxiety and ongoing emotional distress. A WHO assessment from October 2024 revealed that 68% of Ukrainians believe their health has worsened in the time since the conflict erupted, with mental health being the top concern.

The Shadow of Cancer in Wartime

Before the 2022 invasion, cancer was already the second leading cause of death in Ukraine. The war has severely compounded this challenge. It has disrupted supply chains for crucial medicines, forced the suspension of clinical trials, and displaced both patients and oncologists. Journeys to functioning hospitals are perilous, and many facilities, particularly in the east, have been destroyed. While some services have been stabilised and patients relocated to safer regions or abroad, the long-term impact on cancer mortality is a major concern. Experts project that even modest delays in diagnosis and treatment will lead to thousands of excess deaths in the coming years.

Image Credit - BBC

A System Under Unprecedented Siege

The WHO has verified a shocking number of assaults on Ukrainian healthcare, with a documented incident count surpassing 2,254 since the start of the full-scale war. These are not random acts. They represent a pattern of targeting vital infrastructure, with 86% of attacks impacting health facilities, often with heavy weapons. In 2024, a disturbing trend of "double-tap" attacks emerged, where first responders arriving at a scene are targeted in a subsequent strike. This blatant disregard for international humanitarian law has made access to care near the front lines exceptionally dangerous.

The Psychological Scars of War

For every physical wound inflicted by the war, there are countless invisible scars. The constant threat of shelling, the loss of loved ones, and the displacement from home have created a nationwide mental health crisis. An estimated 9.6 million people are thought to be at risk of or living with a mental health condition. Dr. Baksheiev acknowledges this dual role his team must play. He notes that in addition to clinical assessments, they provide a listening ear for patients sharing their accounts of attacks on their communities. In this context, the medics become therapists, offering a moment of human connection and compassion amidst the chaos.

Rebuilding Amidst the Rubble

Despite the ongoing destruction, efforts to rebuild are underway. Dr Supron confirms that the government, working with the WHO and other global partners, has successfully restored, either in part or completely, nine hundred sixty-four medical centers that Russia had damaged. This monumental task is part of a broader strategy to overhaul the medical infrastructure. The World Bank is supporting this effort through initiatives like the "Health Enhancement and Lifesaving" (HEAL) project and the "Transforming Healthcare through Reform and Investments in Efficiency" (THRIVE) project, which aim to strengthen the system's resilience and improve service delivery.

Image Credit - BBC

International Solidarity and Support

The international community has responded with significant humanitarian aid. The European Commission has allocated over €1.1 billion for humanitarian projects in Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova, funding emergency assistance like food, water, shelter, and healthcare. Organisations like the Polish Medical Mission and UK-Med are running mobile clinics to provide primary care in hard-to-reach areas, complementing the work of local NGOs like FRIDA Ukraine. These efforts are crucial, as an estimated 12.7 million people in Ukraine will require humanitarian assistance in 2025.

Women at the Forefront of Resilience

The war has disproportionately affected women, who often bear the responsibility of caring for families while facing heightened risks. Yet, they are also at the forefront of the response. Initiatives have emerged to empower Ukrainian women, from projects training them as bus drivers to fill critical labour shortages to volunteer networks providing safe transport for refugees. In politics, female leaders are advocating for their constituents and speaking out against injustice, contributing to a societal shift in a country navigating profound change. The resilience of Ukraine's women is a powerful force in the nation's struggle for survival.

A Personal Battle on a National Front

Dr Baksheiev's personal commitment is unwavering. Even after receiving his own cancer diagnosis in September 2024, he continues his volunteer efforts, journeying throughout the country to offer care. His dedication embodies the spirit of countless Ukrainian healthcare workers who persevere through exhaustion and personal risk. They are the defenders of their country's health, working under the most extreme circumstances imaginable. Their fight is not just against disease and injury, but against the despair that threatens to consume a nation at war. Dr Baksheiev's 'Feminine Shuttle' is more than an ambulance; it is a testament to the enduring power of care and the profound spirit of its people.