As the second wave of COVID-19 sweeps through Ukraine, hospitals are in shortage of critical medical equipment for patients. Similarly, many research labs are operating under suboptimal conditions in run-down buildings. A non-profit organization in the United States, Nova Ukraine, has the general mission to raise global awareness of and provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. To improve healthcare workers’ working conditions during COVID-19, the organization initiated the “Protect Ukrainian Doctors from Coronavirus” project, which organizes fundraising events to purchase medical equipment for the hospitals.

One devastating symptom of COVID-19 in hospitalised patients is pneumonia—infection and inflammation of the lung that causes difficulty to breathe. Because of this, oxygen supply equipment is a lifesaver. With the fundraising total so far from “Protect Ukrainian Doctors from Coronavirus,” Nova Ukraine acquired 17 portable oxygen concentrators for Ukrainian hospitals in need. The names of these hospitals are available on Nova Ukraine’s website.

The new oxygen concentrators are more compact and safer than heavy oxygen tanks currently used in some hospitals. Not only do these new oxygen concentrators alleviate the current pandemic, but they will also save lives later in these hospitals later. The Patients of Ukraine (Пацієнти України) and many Ukrainian hospitals play an essential role in helping to choose this particular concentrator model, which is familiar to the healthcare professionals, streamlining the use of the new device.

To donate to “Protect Ukranian Doctors from Coronavirus,” volunteer at Nova Ukraine, or help spread words about the project or the organisation, visit: http://novaukraine.org/protect-ukrainian-doctors-from-coronavirus/ or email volunteer@novaukraine.org