MedicTeam4Ukraine

Hi, I'm Dr. Tracey Parnell. I am a Canadian doctor trained in Emergency Medicine and Disaster Management. I work with a team of medical professionals from various countries to provide help to the wounded and sick in the most dangerous areas of Ukraine, where most NGOs (charitable organizations) do not venture due to the risk. I and my colleagues have done multiple trips each, mostly to the eastern area, providing in-person care. We know how difficult it is and what is needed to make a difference for these incredibly vulnerable populations.

We are raising funds to teach doctors, nurses and paramedics in Ukraine, advanced trauma care and to provide virtual care equipment for vulnerable patients stuck in areas under active attack. The training includes certified courses from the International Trauma Life Support organization (iTrauma.org), a global leader in trauma care education. We need to purchase textbooks, register students and buy equipment, but the training will dramatically improve their ability to care for and save the lives of their horrifically wounded patients. The mannequins are particularly expensive, but because the wounds being seen are unique, we need life-like training mannequins that have custom-made wounds (amputations, open chest wounds and large soft tissue injuries) and allow for training in advanced procedures. Funds raised include shipping and transport to the east (we hope!). Any additional funds raised will go to provide more courses, equipment, staffing and mannequins.

The virtual care tools include a portable point-of-care lab device and a kit of telehealth tools, like stethoscopes and ultrasounds. When we are not in Ukraine, many of us provide virtual care to vulnerable people in active attack areas. These are people who cannot leave and many have significant health issues. We have collaborators who work with us, but they have limited skills so we very much need to be able to listen to a chest or heart with a telehealth stethoscope or do an ECG and provide the patient with the best care we can. Having the ability to send this data and ask for help from a colleague is also so important. A lot of these patients are dying from basic diseases that we can treat if we have the tools. As well, many times we want to use medication that may be dangerous if they have, say, high potassium or other blood chemistry problems, hence the need for the point of care testing device.