Taiwan Church News 3784 Edition Sept 2 ~ 8, 2024 Weekly Topical MacKay Memorial Hospital Helps Ukraine Doctors with Advanced Medical Expertise Reported by Lin Yi-ying from Taipei Supported by the Taiwan Foundation of Disaster Relief (TFDR), six doctors from Ukraine arrived in Taiwan to receive a month-long training at Mackay Memorial Hospital (MMH). A press conference, entitled as “A Warm Welcome to Ukrainian Doctors for Advanced Medical Expertise in Taiwan”, was held at MMH on September 2nd. To reach MMH’s medical service beyond borders and witness Taiwan’s commitment of “Taiwan Can Help”, many distinguished guests were invited, including Mr Lin Zhu-en, deputy director of Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Dr Wang Zong-hsi, counselor of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), and Ms Chiang Mei-yi, vice ceo of Taiwan Foundation of Disaster Relief (TFDR). The six Ukrainian doctors includes the group’s leader, Dr Oleksandr Nazarchuk specialized in anesthesia for intensive care, Dr Bohdana Li in pediatric surgery, Dr Serhii Shpak in traumatology and orthopedics , Dr Mylana Fedorchenko in emergency medicine, Dr Andrii Belinsyi in anesthesia, and Dr Daria Solianyk in critical care and anesthesia. At the beginning of the news brief, Dr Oleksandr Nazarchuk introduced the group members and then gave heartfelt thanksgivings to Taiwan government, including TFDR, MMH, and MOFA and MOHW for their enthusiastic assistance on behalf of Ukraine. He stressed that Ukraine is now severely devastated by the Russian invasion, which has also put medical personnel under pressure due to medical needs and resource shortages. “This time I am very appreciated to visit Taiwan for receiving such precious medical training and clinical exchanges”, said Dr Nazarchuk, “the team promised to bring back the advanced Taiwanese medical technology to Ukraine so that more patients can be benefited.” He also pledged to carry on the MMH’s missionary spirit, “reach out to wherever there is a need,” after these recruited doctors returned to Ukraine. Dr Tsai Wei-de, director of MMH’s International Medical Service Center, said that this time hundreds of Ukrainian doctors from various medical disciplines signed up to come to Taiwan for advanced medial training and clinical exchanges. After several rounds of checks and selection, only six doctors were offered the opportunity to come to MMH, so these six Ukrainian doctors can be said to be the best among the very qualified ones, Dr Tsai gave his thumb up. Dr Chang Wen-han, superintendent of MMH, remarked that MMH’s International Medical Service Center had sent three humanitarian medical teams into the Ukrainian clinics near combat-zones after the outbreak of the Ukrainian-Russian war. Recently, on April 28, 2024, the hotel where the MMH medical team stationed was even attacked by a Russian drone bomb, said Dr Chang. Fortunately, by the mercy of God, all MMH members were safely returned back to Taiwan and honorably affirmed by former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, he expressed. “This is a beginning for Mackay Memorial Hospital”, said Dr Tsai, “and we will continue to help Ukraine in medical training, and support equipment and assistances in humanitarian treatment with prosthetics for those who lost limbs due to war-inflicted injuries.” Ms Chiang Mei-yi said that TFDR originally focused on the business of domestic relief only, but later expanded its services abroad since 2020. After the Ukrainian-Russian war started unexpectedly in February 2022, TFDR began to provide services overseas for the first time under a cross-departmental task force under former President Tsai’s administration. As the fund-raising then was for humanitarian relief in Ukraine, more than NT$944.6 million was quickly raised within one month, all of which was handed over to MOFA for its international programs in first-aid and disaster relief. “At the beginning of 2024, MMH proposes a plan to train and exchange with Ukrainian medical doctors to the TFDR,” expressed Ms Chiang, “it is a great honor and privilege to work with MMH to witness the resilience and enthusiasm of the Taiwanese people.” Mr Lin Zhu-en of MOFA not only paid homage to MMH, who had sent three medical missions to Ukraine after the Ukraine-Russia war, but also reminded the audience about the contributions of MOFA to offer relevant first-aid relief for humanitarian cause. As Russia launched an air strike in Kiev and caused a devastating toll on July 8, according to Mr Lin, MOFA immediately poured money in to assist a reconstruction project for the children hospital after it was seriously damaged in a great havoc. However, in addition to the hardware-restoration of the children hospital, what is more important is the implementation and improvement of medical staff’s medical expertise and experiences, said Mr Lin. MMH’s capabilities and resources to train and strengthen Ukrainian medical staffs is capable to showcase the soft power of Taiwan’s medical care, he said. “You are fearless warriors with iron will,” Dr Wang Chong-hsi of MOHW paid tribute to the six Ukrainian medical staff, “just like the MMH’s Ukraine Mission Team moving close to the combat-zones in Ukraine.” Dr Wang gave her appreciation to MMH’s Ukraine Mission Team, succeeding Rev Mackay’s missionary spirit to carry on ministries for international medical services since 1999. This is a mission impossible to witness the spirit of “Taiwan Can Help”, indicated she, for three MMH medical missions had been sent to love and care for the suffered and the needy in Ukraine. She also humorously suggested Ukrainian medical staff not to focus on medial learning at MMH only, but also go to visit the markets around Mackay Memorial Hospital to taste Taiwanese food and experience the passion and goodwill of Taiwanese people. Translated by Peter WolfeF |