The Ukrainian Red Cross paediatric mobile health unit has been working in the Rivne region for four years

The Ukrainian Red Cross paediatric mobile health unit has been working in the Rivne region since October 2022. During this time, medical professionals have provided more than 9,000 consultations, helping children and their families access essential healthcare closer to home.

The unit was established with support from the German Red Cross in response to the need for accessible healthcare services for residents of remote communities.

The team consists of a paediatrician, a nurse and a driver and travels to the region’s most remote communities every week. During these visits, medical professionals examine children from birth to age 18 and advise parents on nutrition, vaccination, and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. They also take medical histories, perform auscultation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and measure oxygen saturation levels.

As the Rivne region is considered an area with an increased risk of iodine deficiency, medical professionals pay particular attention to examining children’s thyroid glands during visits. To identify possible disorders at an early stage, the team performs ultrasound examinations and, if abnormalities are detected, recommends further tests and consultations with specialists.

Thanks to the mobile health unit, children in remote communities can access quality healthcare without having to travel long distances to specialised medical facilities.

We thank the German Red Cross for supporting this project in the Rivne region.