Mobile Clinic on the Front Line: A Doctor’s Mission for Women’s Health in Ukraine**

As women in occupied territories flock to Dr. Baksheiev's 'Feminine Shuttle,' the need for healthcare in war-torn Ukraine grows more urgent with each passing day, highlighting the impact of the ongoing conflict on public health.**

In the shadows of a rural village on Ukraine's front line, women gather in a hushed line outside a distinct purple and white ambulance, their expressions a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. For many, this is their first encounter with a doctor since the start of a brutal war that has persisted for over three years. Dr. Serhii Baksheiev, 53, has dedicated himself to providing essential healthcare, conducting over 1,000 gynecological examinations in his mobile clinic, affectionately dubbed 'The Feminine Shuttle,' complete with a vibrant pink examination chair.

Dr. Baksheiev describes his mission as fundamentally humanitarian, stating, "It's for those who need help where there are no doctors or hospitals, and it’s entirely free." The war with Russia has wreaked havoc on Ukraine's healthcare infrastructure, resulting in an astounding 1,940 attacks on medical facilities, the highest recorded in any humanitarian crisis to date, with reports highlighting an alarming rise since December 2023.

In the initial phase of the conflict, Dr. Baksheiev sheltered in a bunker in Kyiv, helping deliver babies amidst the chaos of bombings. His inspiration for a mobile clinic emerged during subsequent medical volunteer missions, revealing the dire lack of resources in frontline areas where hospitals had been leveled.

Upon examining the conditions in places like Kharkiv and Chernihiv, it became evident to him that gynecological care was critically absent due to the destruction of medical centers, forcing him to improvise with makeshift examination setups. Today, he is justifiably proud of his mobile clinic, equipped with an ultrasound machine and essential tools for minor surgery, tailored to address the immediate needs of women in remote areas.

During two-day expeditions, Dr. Baksheiev and his team can perform up to 80 colposcopies, offering crucial screenings in regions often under Russian control. Their operations are clandestine; they move swiftly in and out of occupied territories to conduct examinations and mitigate risks of detection.

Public health data underscores the pressing necessity for such services, revealing a concerning drop in ovarian and cervical cancer detection rates of 17% and 10% since 2020, respectively. Alarmingly, when providers like Dr. Baksheiev gain access to these communities, they encounter a notably higher incidence of malignant tumors among women.

Dr. Ulana Supron, former health minister of Ukraine, has voiced anxieties regarding the "ticking time bomb" effect on health outcomes stemming from the protracted conflict. "The public health community is deeply concerned about both physical and psychological long-term effects, given the ongoing stress and trauma," she explains. The government’s efforts to restore services have seen partial or full reconstruction of about 964 medical facilities damaged due to the war, facilitated by cooperation with the WHO and international partners.

Despite facing his own battle with cancer, diagnosed in September 2024, Dr. Baksheiev remains unwavering in his commitment to serve. "Beyond physical health, we lend a listening ear; many women share heartbreaking stories of attacks on their homes," he reflects. "We are not just doctors; we are therapists for these patients navigating the brutal landscape of war."