“Ukrainian Doctors Are Ready to Fight Coronavirus” - Ex-Deputy Health Minister

20 March 2020 22:27

Whilst the currently imposed measures are totally justified, there were some unprofessional steps taken by the Ukrainian leadership, argues former minister of health of Ukraine.

Whilst the currently imposed measures in the light of coronavirus breakout are totally justified, there were some unprofessional steps taken by the Ukrainian leadership, argues former deputy minister of health of Ukraine.

Oleksandr Linchevskyy, who is now the deputy director of the Oberig clinic in Kyiv, says that the fact that Ukrainian borders remained open even when the quarantine started was “illogical”.

Moreover, there is “no logic in closing the metro, whilst other public transport and businesses continue to operate,” according to him.

Coronavirus in Ukraine by the numbers as of March 20, 7 p.m. Kyiv time.

The medical expert also voiced his concerns about the real state of affairs in Ukraine with regard to the coronavirus. The lack of PCR testing systems and protective equipment for medics are worrying signals in the face of danger that has already led to three deaths in Ukraine as of March 20, Linchevskyy points out.

“Expert power is not sufficient in this ministry and we can see some lack of proactive position, some lack of leading in reaction to the pandemic.”

But it’s not all bad news for Ukrainians. The former minister is encouraged by Ukrainian physicians who have years of work without government support under their belts. This means they are already preparing for a full-blown pandemic by adapting to the ever-changing situation and learning from Chinese and Italian experiences.

“We, as well as a lot of my colleagues in state clinics, are ready to fight.”