Meet the Doctor Delivering Vital Health Services on Ukraine's Frontline

In the face of severe healthcare challenges caused by the war with Russia, Dr. Serhii Baksheiev's mobile clinic is delivering crucial gynecological services to women in frontline areas. Despite his own cancer diagnosis, he continues to volunteer, providing both medical and emotional support to those affected by the conflict.

In a rural area near the Ukrainian front line, a purple and white ambulance stands as a beacon of hope for many women who have not seen a doctor since the start of the war over three years ago. Dr. Serhii Baksheiev, 53, has dedicated himself to offering gynecological care through his mobile clinic, dubbed 'The Feminine Shuttle.' Equipped with modern medical facilities, including an ultrasound machine and a bright pink examination chair, Dr. Baksheiev has conducted over 1,000 gynecological examinations since the establishment of his clinic in 2022.

"This is purely a humanitarian mission. It’s about helping people in desperate need where healthcare services have collapsed," says Dr. Baksheiev. Ukraine's health infrastructure has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting nearly 2,000 attacks on health facilities since Russia's invasion began. The safety and mental health of women living in areas affected by conflict have become an urgent concern.

At the war's outset, Dr. Baksheiev served in a Kyiv bunker, assisting in childbirth amid the chaos of war. Inspired by a lack of medical resources during volunteer missions to devastated regions, he decided to create a mobile clinic capable of reaching those in need. His recent missions to heavily damaged locations like Kharkiv and Chernihiv revealed the desperate situation, as facilities were destroyed and tools for conducting gynecological examinations were scarce, forcing him to improvise.

Now, Dr. Baksheiev’s mobile clinic allows him and his team to perform crucial examinations, including colposcopies, in remote areas that remain occupied by hostile forces. During these covert missions, they often complete up to 80 examinations in just two days. Unfortunately, the war has also adversely affected cancer detection rates, with a noted decline in both ovarian and cervical cancer diagnoses since 2020. Notably, an increased incidence of malignant tumors has been recorded in women examined by Dr. Baksheiev.

Amid growing concerns about healthcare consequences of the ongoing war, Dr. Ulana Supron, Ukraine's former health minister, warns of the long-term health impacts beyond immediate physical injury, including chronic psychological trauma due to continuous stress and instability. Efforts are being made to rebuild the healthcare system, but substantial challenges remain.

Despite his own recent cancer diagnosis, Dr. Baksheiev remains committed to his work, emphasizing the dual role he plays as both a doctor and a therapist. "Listening to their stories is just as important as the medical examination," he states. The emotional and psychological scars borne by women affected by the conflict complicate the already delicate health landscape in Ukraine.