In a rural village situated near Ukraine's front line, women line up outside a mobile clinic adorned in purple and white, eager for medical attention from Dr. Serhii Baksheiev. The 53-year-old physician, sporting a head colored in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, is a beacon of hope for many who have not seen a doctor since the onset of the war over three years ago. Operating his mobile ambulance, dubbed 'The Feminine Shuttle', Dr. Baksheiev has conducted over 1,000 gynecological examinations in frontline and occupied areas since 2022.
"This is a humanitarian volunteering mission aimed at those in urgent need of help where conventional healthcare is nonexistent, and it's completely free," he explains. The conflict with Russia has wreaked havoc on Ukraine's healthcare infrastructure, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting over 1,940 assaults on medical facilities since the invasion—making it the worst for healthcare crises to date.
Initially sheltering in a bunker in Kyiv, Dr. Baksheiev was primarily engaged in assisting childbirth as bomb explosions shook the skies above. His mobile clinic initiative arose from further medical missions revealing the dire state of healthcare facilities, often completely demolished. "Visiting places like Kharkiv and Chernihiv, we were shocked by the destruction and the absence of gynecological care," he recalled.
With essential medical tools at his disposal, the mobile clinic is equipped for minor surgeries and includes an ultrasound machine in addition to a bright pink examination chair. His team can conduct up to 80 colposcopies during a two-day mission, crucially diagnosing abnormal tissue in an area where such services are scarce, often making their visits clandestine due to the ongoing conflict. Statistics from Ukrainian health authorities indicate concerning trends, with detection rates of ovarian and cervical cancers dropping by 17% and 10%, respectively, since 2020, and malignant tumors becoming increasingly prevalent during examinations.
Dr. Ulana Supron, Ukraine’s former health minister, voices apprehension over the public health consequences as the war prolongs, deeming it a “ticking time bomb” for health outcomes. Although efforts to rebuild damaged medical facilities are underway—with around 964 being restored to some degree—there remains significant concern for physical and mental health outcomes amid constant distress and psychological trauma.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer himself in September 2024, Dr. Baksheiev's commitment to his vocation remains unshaken. "Patients don't just need medical examinations; they share their stories of loss and trauma from the conflict, which also makes us their confidants," he notes. Unwavering, he continues his essential work, ensuring women in Ukraine receive the care they urgently require during these trying times.
