- UK leading the humanitarian response by donating over two
million medical items to Ukraine including vital medicines, wound
packs, and intensive care equipment
- Latest shipment left in flight on Friday morning with
thousands of doses of medicines, including pain relief
- Secretary of State for Health and Social Care affirms UK’s
commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine
More than two million items of medical supplies have been given
to Ukraine by the UK to help the country cope with the medical
emergency caused by the Russian invasion.
Items including vital medicines, wound packs, and intensive care
equipment donated by NHS England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland have been flown to the region on ten flights over the
past three weeks, leaving from Stanstead and Heathrow Airports
and RAF Brize Norton.
The latest flight left from London Heathrow yesterday morning
(Friday 18th March) carrying thousands of doses of
medicine, including painkillers, with another flight – the
11th so far – expected next week.
Following an urgent request from Ukraine a refrigerated truck
left for the region on Friday night carrying insulin injections
and drugs critical for surgery which will save tens of thousands
of Ukrainian lives. This is expected to arrive in the region in
the coming days.
The UK government has been working closely with Ukrainian
officials to deliver targeted support to ensure medical items are
reaching the people who need them most.
Some of the significant items sent to the Ukraine so far
includes:
- Nearly 3,000 adult resuscitators
- Around 160,000 wound care packs
- Over 300,000 sterile needles
- Over 32,000 packs of bandages
- 1,600 pieces of equipment for ventilators
- Over 54,000 cannulas
- 100,000 packs of medicines - around 800,000 doses - including
antibiotics and painkillers
- 72,000 packs of gloves
- 28,000 FFP3 masks
Health and Social Care Secretary, , said:
“We’re leading the humanitarian effort to support Ukraine by
providing targeted medical support to those in need. In less than
three weeks the UK has donated more than two million medical
items.
“Tens of thousands of sick or injured Ukrainians have now
received treatment thanks to the donations made by NHS England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“The UK will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the
people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s appalling invasion.”
Today’s milestone of two million medical items donated to Ukraine
forms part of the government’s wider humanitarian response to
this emergency. Earlier this week the UK government flew 21
children with cancer to the UK, who are now receiving lifesaving
treatment from the NHS.
Foreign Secretary, , said:
“The UK is providing £220 million in life saving humanitarian aid
to Ukraine. In addition to medical supplies we are
providing shelter and hygiene kits. The UK is also donating over
500 mobile generators to provide vital energy to Ukrainian
hospitals and shelters.
“Our humanitarian advisors have been deployed to neighbouring
countries to assess needs on the ground and we are supporting
those affected by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.”
On Thursday 17 March the government announced that Ukrainians
fleeing their home country will be guaranteed free access to NHS
healthcare, including hospital services, GP and nurse
consultations, urgent care centres and injury units.
More than 6,100 visas have been granted through the Ukraine
Family Scheme and, for those with valid Ukrainian passports, the
government has removed the need to attend an in-person
appointment to conduct biometric checks before travelling to the
UK.
Since Monday 14 March, people in the UK have been able to
register their interest to sponsor a named Ukrainian under the
Homes for Ukraine scheme, with more than 150,000 people
registering.
The government has provided £400 million in humanitarian and
economic aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries since the
Russian invasion started, along with defensive anti-tank and
anti-aircraft weaponry.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The two million figure is made up of each individual item and
individual dose of medicine.
-
Ukrainian children
brought to England for cancer treatment - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
