Roman Fishchuk, 35, is an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) at a hospital in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk. Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, he has found himself volunteering in any way possible including consulting patients through a hotline. He warns that many of the war’s “indirect” victims will be those who were vulnerable before the war, and can no longer access medical care. This is his account.
Before the invasion, I performed hearing tests for newborns and adults, examined patients and conducted research work at a state hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk. As CEO of the hospital’s clinical trials unit, I would oversee clinical trials, manage patients’ visits and communicate with the state regulator.
