Volume 38, Issue 4 pp. 1071-1075
LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Appraising war's impacts on neurosurgical delivery in Ukraine

Andrew Awuah Wireko

Andrew Awuah Wireko

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

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Favour Tope Adebusoye

Corresponding Author

Favour Tope Adebusoye

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

Correspondence

Favour Tope Adebusoye, Sumy State University, Zamonstanksya 7, Sumy 40007, Ukraine.

Email: [email protected]

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Jack Wellington

Jack Wellington

Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK

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Katerina Namaal Bel-Nono

Katerina Namaal Bel-Nono

University of Nis, Nis, Serbia

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Toufik Abdul-Rahman

Toufik Abdul-Rahman

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

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Denys Ovechkin

Denys Ovechkin

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

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Nikitina Iryna Mykolayivna

Nikitina Iryna Mykolayivna

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

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Vladyslav Sikora

Vladyslav Sikora

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy

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First published: 14 March 2023
Citations: 1

Abstract

The conflict in Ukraine, which started when Russia invaded and violated its sovereignty, has led to the country's worst war since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The war has resulted in a significant number of casualties, displaced millions of people, and damaged the healthcare system, which was already struggling before the conflict. The neurosurgical field, in particular, has been severely affected, with infrastructure and healthcare systems routinely demolished or interrupted in conflict zones, making fundamental medical operations unavailable to victims of armed conflict. As a result, neurosurgeons have been compelled to conduct surgeries outside of their areas of competence, in makeshift settings or under challenging conditions, with limited access to materials and equipment. The war has also severely damaged specialised neurosurgery facilities, causing a severe shortage of crucial supplies and equipment. To address the challenges facing neurosurgery care in Ukraine, it is essential to rebuild and repair the damaged neurosurgical centres and provide them with the necessary equipment and supplies to successfully administer neurosurgical treatments. Training programs for neurosurgeons and other medical specialists must also be organised to manage complex neurosurgical problems under difficult conditions.

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