- Latest aid deliveries will double number of medical items
donated by the UK.
- Supplies including antibiotics,
painkillers, dressings and specialist medicines will
help those injured by Russian attacks.
- Specialist brain and spinal injury equipment will treat
severely injured, with further deliveries of ambulances in the
coming weeks.
Medical aid donations from the UK to Ukraine will reach more than
11 million items in the coming days, helping save tens of
thousands of lives.
A fourth tranche of aid left from across the UK during the
last week, carrying:
- 4.2 million doses
of medicines – including painkillers and
antibiotics that are critical for treating infections caused by
battlefield trauma and limited hygiene facilities
- 1.5 million items of other supplies – including PPE and
respirators
The 5.78 million items in the latest deliveries more than double
the 5.29 million items donated in the first three tranches,
taking the total to 11.07 million.
Nearly 16 million people are reported to be in need
of humanitarian assistance within Ukraine, with access to
care badly needed for those in cities worst hit by Russian
attacks like Mariupol and Irpin.
The latest supplies are being sent in direct response to a
request from the Government of Ukraine. They will provide
treatment for people injured in the brutal and intentional
Russian attacks on civilians across Ukraine, as well as help the
government prepare for potential future threats.
The UK Government will continue to work closely with
Ukrainian Government officials to tailor our support and target
supplies to reach those most in need. This will include further
donations of both new and NHS ambulances in the coming weeks to
bolster frontline life-saving efforts in Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary said:
“The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends.
As the medical emergency inflicted by Russia escalates, we have
responded with life-saving medical supplies where they are needed
most.
“As one of the largest humanitarian donors, Britain will continue
to help care for those bravely resisting Putin’s vile aggression
until Ukraine succeeds.
Health and Social Care Secretary, , said:
“Russia’s unprovoked and illegal attacks on Ukraine have created
a medical emergency, with Putin targeting healthcare facilities
like maternity units, hospitals, and ambulances.
“The UK’s support for our friends in Ukraine is unwavering,
giving medicines and equipment they desperately need, which has
saved tens of thousands of lives.
“Thank you to the NHS in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and
Scotland for stepping up and donating vital medical supplies.”
From the outset of the crisis UK has helped Ukraine deal
with its intensifying medical emergency. Earlier tranches of
aid included items including medical equipment, drugs for
surgery, wound care packs and bandages.
The UK is also donating specialist equipment to treat spinal cord
and brain injuries and help provide rehabilitation. This is
donated from the UK Emergency Medical Team, which is on standby
to deliver medical aid in global emergencies. It will help
boost capacity of a national rehabilitation centre in Ukraine,
freeing up bed space in hospitals to accommodate other critical
cases.
The additional shipments of medical aid have been drawn from
donations from across the UK, including NHS England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland, with NHS Wales contributing more
than 1 million items to the latest tranche of
aid.
Health and Social Services Minister, Eluned Morgan for
the Welsh Government said:
“Wales stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and we will
continue to offer any practical support and humanitarian
assistance that we can.
“In addition to the funding we have given to the Disaster
Emergency Committee and medical supplies we previously sent to
Ukraine, this latest tranche of medical supplies includes a
further 49 pallets from Wales of respirators, gloves and
dressings to directly help the medical response and life-saving
efforts in Ukraine.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- This latest donation comes as part of a wider package of
humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including £220 million to
provide medical supplies and basic necessities on the
ground, and a rapid donation of food supplies to save lives and
protect vulnerable people. This includes support through the UN,
the Red Cross and NGOs, including Disasters Emergency
Committee and UK-Med.
- Some of the significant items sent to Ukraine so far
include:
- over 3,000 adult resuscitators
- around 255,000 wound care packs
- over 550,000 sterile needles
- over 50,000 packs of bandages
- around 1,800 pieces of equipment for ventilators
- over 75,000 cannulas
- around 6.8 million doses of medicine – including antibiotics
and painkillers
- around 1.1 million packs of gloves
- 28,000 FFP3 masks
- 13 newly procured and donated NHS ambulances to replace those
damaged in the conflict
