US lawmakers want to create field hospitals near Ukraine

Share
The Biden administration has been called to act by a group of bipartisan lawmakers who want to organise field hospitals near Ukraine’s border

A bipartisan team of U.S. lawmakers has requested that the Biden administration move to create field hospitals close to Ukraine's border, to aid wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians as the country fights back against the invading Russian army. 

 

Russian war crimes against Ukrainians must be met with healthcare assistance 

Under the ICC statute, an attack on a hospital is a war crime. Yet according to the World Health Organisation, Russia has targeted 70 medical facilities, including the Mariupol maternity hospital. Footage of pregnant women being evacuated on stretchers is perhaps the most defining image of the war so far.  

Due to this war crime, Ukrainian healthcare workers know it is unsafe for them to enter a medical facility or for patients to be treated there. 

NATO territory across the border however, is safe from Russian aggression. 

Several House members wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking for the U.S. to support Ukraine's medical infrastructure by:

  • Opening field hospitals across Poland
  • Providing Ukraine with armoured ambulances 
  • Using the US military's Landstuhl regional hospital in Germany to offer assistance to the wounded
Youtube Placeholder

US lawmakers want to support NATO with healthcare assistance 

US President Joe Biden has vowed his support to Ukraine, but remained adamant that US soldiers will not be sent to fight against Putin’s army. Instead, this week Biden announced an extra US$1.3bn of new weapons and economic assistance in aid of Ukraine.

But to many lawmakers, this is not enough. 

“We're going to have to really step up in a really big way to relieve the combat wounded and civilian casualties that will be coming in the weeks and months ahead,” said Colorado Democrat Rep. Jason Crow.

“We must remain united and provide Poland and our other NATO partners with the necessary medical and healthcare assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people,” agreed South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson.

Share

Featured Articles

Movianto’s Active Frozen Transport for Vaccine Campaigns

Movianto expands its active frozen transport solutions to support the 2024/25 vaccine and flu campaigns, widening its distribution and delivery capabilitie

Nvidia & the Rise of Humanoid Robots in Healthcare

The AI revolution and mental health innovations at Nvidia, where AI-powered humanoid robots and digital mental health solutions reshape healthcare

Canon Medical, Equinix & Philips React to Autumn Budget

From NHS investment to digital transformation, healthcare leaders from Equinix, Canon Medical & Philips respond to Labour's Autumn Budget

Philips calls for Accessible Stroke Treatment

Telehealth & COVID-19

Healthcare Industry Responds to Rachel Reeves’ Budget

Hospitals

Seed Oils Face Health Scrutiny Amid Processing Concerns

Procurement & Supply Chain