The developments around the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine are a clear violation of international law, and they have already had horrifying consequences and led to a serious humanitarian and health crisis. Support is essential, including through the provision of funds, medicines, medical equipment and expertise. Many European medical societies have put in place a variety of measures and activities to help local medical societies and healthcare professionals in Ukraine. In addition, these societies often had ties with Russian or Belarusian societies, and they had to decide whether to continue scientific exchange or to cut some or all ties. The BioMed Alliance has implemented a short survey to get a general picture of how BioMed Alliance members respond or plan to respond to the war in Ukraine, which was filled in by 27 organisations.
European Medical societies bring together healthcare professionals and researchers from all over Europe, and they often have Ukrainian medical societies or healthcare professionals among their members. All societies that replied to the survey issued a statement on the situation, almost half of all societies also indicated that they maintain close contact with local societies and provide support (48%). In addition, societies frequently donate to aid organisations (30%) or encourage members to donate (33%) and offer free membership (37%) or fellowships (11%) to Ukrainian clinicians. There are also societies that provide webinars and e-learning on treating war injuries (7%) or that provide equipment or medicines (7%) so healthcare professionals in the area can provide better care in challenging conditions. Many societies have also decided to exclude Russian or Belarusian colleagues from participating in their activities, and to refrain from organising meetings in Russia.
The BioMed Alliance is organising an internal webinar on 11 April, where we will hear from the European Commission how the EU is responding and what medical societies are doing and could do to help healthcare professionals and citizens in the area.
Statements & information from BioMed Alliance members mentioned in the survey: