Mobile Clinic Brings Essential Women's Health Care to Ukraine's War-Torn Villages

In a remarkable display of resilience and compassion, Dr. Serhii Baksheiev operates a mobile clinic, 'The Feminine Shuttle,' bringing much-needed gynecological care to women in frontline villages of Ukraine. With the devastation of the healthcare system, Dr. Baksheiev and his team perform crucial examinations while also providing emotional support for their patients, many of whom have faced trauma due to war.

In a rural village not far from the Ukrainian front line, a group of women stands silently outside a mobile clinic, eager to receive medical attention from Dr. Serhii Baksheiev, a 53-year-old obstetrician and gynecologist whose shaved head sports the blue and yellow hues of the Ukrainian flag. For many of these women, this is their first opportunity for a medical check-up since the onset of war over three years ago.

Since he started his mission in 2022, Dr. Baksheiev has conducted over 1,000 gynecological examinations in various occupied and frontline areas using a mobile clinic fondly named 'The Feminine Shuttle,' which is equipped with a pink examination chair and an ultrasound machine. “This is a humanitarian volunteering mission. It's for people who need help, in places where there are no doctors or hospitals,” he explains, emphasizing that the services are provided at no cost.

The ongoing conflict with Russia has severely disrupted Ukraine’s healthcare system, leading to over 1,940 attacks on health facilities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The country now faces an unprecedented healthcare crisis, heightened by the fact that many medical personnel have been displaced or lost.

At the war's outset, Dr. Baksheiev was working in a Kyiv bunker, assisting with childbirth amid the chaos of aerial bombardment. The need for a mobile clinic became apparent as he participated in medical missions to the front lines, discovering the lack of essential medical facilities due to the destruction of hospitals and clinics.

His mobile unit has been customized to include the necessary tools and equipment for various examinations and minor surgeries, enabling the team to perform up to 80 colposcopies in just two days. These procedures are critical for women in inaccessible areas, where healthcare is perilously lacking.

His team's visits to occupied territories often require discretion; they conduct examinations in secrecy to avoid detection by occupying forces. Tragically, reports indicate that detection rates for ovarian and cervical cancers have dropped by 17% and 10% respectively since 2020, as women struggle to access necessary care. During assessments, there have been alarming findings and an unexpectedly high incidence of malignant tumors compared to averages prior to the war.

Dr. Ulana Supron, former Ukraine's health minister, has warned of a potential "ticking time bomb" concerning the health outcomes of the population as the conflict continues. As the war prolongs, experts are voicing concerns not just for physical wellbeing but for mental health, given the persistent psychological trauma inflicted on civilians.

Investments are being made to partially or fully rebuild an impressive number of medical facilities—around 964—that have suffered damage from attacks. Efforts are being coordinated by the government alongside international organizations such as the WHO to restore a functional healthcare system.

Despite being diagnosed with cancer himself as of September 2024, Dr. Baksheiev remains dedicated to his voluntary work, aiding women across the nation. “Apart from medical examinations, you also hear them out because a lot of patients have stories about how the Russians attacked their villages,” he states, noting how the role of healthcare professionals extends beyond clinical duties to become therapists for individuals scarred by the ongoing conflict.