Ukrainian doctors perform surgery in darkness amid ongoing strikes

Ukrainian doctors are facing unprecedented challenges due to ongoing Russian airstrikes targeting hospitals and power stations. As a result, they are forced to perform surgeries in underground operating theatres, often in complete darkness and with severely limited anaesthetic supplies. The situation has worsened since July, when attacks intensified, leading to strict power rationing across the country. Medical professionals are now making difficult decisions, redistributing anaesthetic doses among multiple patients, which often results in patients experiencing significant pain during procedures. The toll on healthcare workers is immense, with many, like Dr. Roman Kuchepera in Lviv, working 22-hour shifts while also managing personal stressors, such as caring for a newborn amidst air raid sirens. The constant threat of missile strikes has created a state of perpetual crisis, where doctors must remain vigilant and prepared for emergencies at all hours. The lack of resources is particularly acute in rural hospitals, where supplies are critically low, and the stress is causing burnout among medical staff. Dr. Marko Isajlovic, a senior doctor in Sumy, highlights the added risks posed by the need for backup generators, which require large fuel supplies that could explode if targeted. The International Red Cross is on standby to transport emergency cases, underscoring the dire situation. The attacks have not only targeted military infrastructure but have also resulted in civilian casualties, including children, raising international condemnation and concern for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine. In summary, the relentless strikes have pushed Ukrainian healthcare to its limits, forcing doctors to adapt to life-threatening conditions while striving to provide care. The ongoing conflict has created a humanitarian emergency, with the medical community struggling to cope with the overwhelming demands placed upon them.