In a rural village near the front lines of Ukraine, women patiently wait outside a striking purple and white ambulance, poised for their rare opportunity to see a doctor. At the heart of this effort is Dr. Serhii Baksheiev, a dedicated obstetrician and gynecologist whose mobile clinic, dubbed 'The Feminine Shuttle', has transformed lives since its inception in 2022. Decorated with the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, the mobile unit is more than just a clinic; it’s a beacon of hope for women who have often gone without medical care for over three years.
Dr. Baksheiev, 53, has conducted more than 1,000 gynecological examinations in frontline and occupied areas, all free of charge. In a healthcare system badly battered by the war with Russia—marked by over 1,940 attacks on medical facilities according to the World Health Organization—the need has become critical. As the conflict intensifies, so does the urgency for medical services, particularly for gynecological care.
Originally based in a bunker in Kyiv at the war's outset, Dr. Baksheiev recalls delivering babies amidst aerial bombardments. His realization of the dire need for medical assistance during volunteer missions sparked the innovative approach of a mobile clinic, particularly after witnessing the devastation of medical facilities in cities like Kharkiv and Chernihiv.
Equipped with an ultrasound machine and essential surgical tools, 'The Feminine Shuttle' allows Dr. Baksheiev and his team to perform up to 80 diagnostic colposcopies in just two days, crucial for early cancer detection. This work is paramount, especially in regions where healthcare has been obliterated. He often conducts these missions in secrecy, slipping into villages occupied by Russian forces to provide care before their presence is detected.
With alarming statistics showing a 17% decrease in ovarian cancer detection rates since 2020, Dr. Baksheiev's efforts are needed now more than ever. Reports indicate an increasing incidence of malignant tumors among women he examines, which Dr. Ulana Supron, former Ukraine's health minister, identifies as a growing health crisis exacerbated by prolonged conflict.
Despite facing his own health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis in September 2024, Dr. Baksheiev remains unwavering in his commitment to serving the women of Ukraine, emphasizing the dual role of medical practitioners in wartime—both as caregivers and counselors, as they navigate not just health but the psychological scars left by conflict.
As the war continues, the public health scene grows more precarious, highlighting the urgent need for rebuilding and revitalizing Ukraine's healthcare infrastructure, a goal on which the government, alongside international organizations, is working tirelessly. In the meantime, Dr. Baksheiev's mobile clinic embodies resilience and hope, serving as a lifeline for women in desperate need of care amid the chaos of war.
