Terviseportaal
Doctors of East Tallinn Central Hospital help combatants injured in the war in Ukraine
At the end of January, doctors from East Tallinn Central Hospital were working in Rivne, Western Ukraine, where they participated alongside local doctors in the treatment and rehabilitation of combatants injured in the war. It was a practical exercise, where experience was shared and operations were carried out.
‘Our goal was to provide practical support in Ukraine, and to improve the knowledge of local doctors in treating those injured in the war,’ said Kaupo Ole, Head of the Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation at the East Tallinn Central Hospital, who participated in the mission. ‘We are working on rehabilitating combatants, installing prostheses, and training local professionals to better help patients.’
The mission also included Taavi Toomela, Head of the Centre of Spinal Surgery at East Tallinn Central Hospital, who participated in the surgical treatment of combatants. ‘Injuries received during war are complex and require urgent intervention. These are often spinal injuries, where pressure must be removed from the spinal cord and the spinal column stabilised. Cooperation with local doctors went well and we shared our experiences, to help them solve complicated cases in the future,’ Toomela said. This time it was necessary to operate on an injury to the spine, which had arisen as a result of trauma and caused paralysis in the patient. The patient has now successfully recovered and sensitivity has gradually returned.
According to Madis Põri, prosthetist at East Tallinn Central Hospital, the hospital has been manufacturing prostheses for combatants injured in Ukraine since 2023. ‘We have made at least 50 prostheses, which has given us valuable experience in creating prosthetics for patients with complicated injuries. Young combatants want to quickly recover and begin moving, which is why prosthetics adapted to them are especially important,’ Põri said.
Inge Suder, Head of Communication and Marketing at East Tallinn Central Hospital, noted that in 2024, Ukrainian ophthalmologists were trained in Estonia, where they were introduced to the treatment of eye injuries and surgical methods. A total of 216 Ukrainian doctors participated in the trainings, improving their knowledge and skills. In addition, four Ukrainian ophthalmologists were practicing at East Tallinn Central Hospital in 2024, and Ukrainian fighters with serious eye injuries were also operated upon on the spot.
Suder added that East Tallinn Central Hospital has been working closely with Rivne Central Hospital since 2023, when a memorandum of cooperation was signed through the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs. Activities related to Ukraine are supported by ESTDEV – Estonian Centre for International Development.