Hospital of hope - in Kyiv

11:51, 01.06.2006

7 min.

The main purpose of Kateryna Yushchenko`s recent trips to several European countries and the United States is to tell the world about the very critical healthcare needs of the children of Ukraine.

The first lady of Ukraine, Mrs. Kateryna Yushchenko continued her week long trip to the United States with a dinner in Philadelphia Tuesday evening hosted by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia with assistance from The Ukrainian Human Rights Committee. The first lady participated in a formal question and answer session during the dinner.

On Wednesday she met with a large number of heath care companies and professionals in Philadelphia under a program organized by the Ukrainian Federation of America.

On Monday and Tuesday the first lady was in Washington with a series of dinners and meetings including one with the first lady of the United States Laura Bush. After Philadelphia her next stop is California and then back to Kyiv over the weekend.

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EFFECTIVE AMBASSADOR FOR UKRAINE

Kateryna Yushchenko in her private meetings and public appearances uses every opportunity to tell about the Orange Revolution, the progress Ukraine has made as an independent, democratic country located in the heart of Europe. She talks about her husband Viktor Yushchenko and his work to build a Ukraine with a market economy, a modern judicial system and a country with Euro-Atlantic integration as a major goal.

The first lady is a very effective ambassador for Ukraine and is well received wherever she goes. She was raised near Chicago and worked many years supporting independence for Ukraine. She went to Ukraine in the early 1990`s to work in and assist the country of her families heritage on its path to political and economic freedom.

WORLDWIDE AMBASSADOR FOR UKRAINE`S CHILDREN

The main purpose of Kateryna Yushchenko`s recent trips to several European countries and the United States is to tell the world about the very critical healthcare needs of the children of Ukraine. Her goal while she is the first lady of Ukraine is to lead a major effort to improve the health and healthcare of Ukraine`s children.

She has truly become a `Worldwide Ambassador for Ukraine`s Children.` Kateryna never misses an opportunity to tell about the work and goals of her foundation, the "Ukraine 3000 Foundation." She especially explains the work program she has developed under the goal, `Better Health for Ukraine`s Children. She is never hesitant to ask individuals, companies, foundations, hospitals and governments to support the critical work in Ukraine.

"HOSPITAL TO HOSPITAL" PROGRAM

The Ukraine 3000 Foundation initiated its "Hospital to Hospital" Program in 2005 under Kateryna`s leadership. This program seeks international and domestic partners for 25 children`s hospitals in Ukraine in order to provide them with training, equipment, medicines, and improved facilities.

The 25 hospitals were chosen by competition and include one hospital in each of Ukraine`s oblasts [states] as well as the Institute of Oncology Children`s Department and the Child Onco-Hematology Center in Kyiv, Kateryna told the audience in Philadelphia.

Dr. John Wood, President of the International Medical Education Foundation of Waco, Texas, and a long-time Baptist minister is assisting in identifying partner hospitals in the United States and in providing hospital professionals in Ukraine with opportunities for training in the US. Dr. Wood was in Washington and Philadelphia and attended some of the meetings.

Together with the Foundation`s domestic and international partners the "Hospital to Hospital" Program has provided more than $7 million in assistance to Ukrainian hospitals during the past year.

MAJOR GOAL: BUILD A "HOSPITAL OF HOPE" IN KYIV

Kateryna Yushchenko told Laura Bush at the White House on Tuesday morning and the people of Philadelphia on Tuesday evening that the Ukraine 3000 Foundation`s "Hospital to Hospital" Program has a major, grand goal. That goal is to build a new, state of the art Children`s Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine`s capital city - a HOSPITAL OF HOPE and open the facility in 2009.

The new 300-bed modern facility will offer nearly every pediatric specialty and provide a full spectrum of healthcare services, ranging from prevention programs to the most advanced medical treatments, according to Dr. Vira Pavlyuk, MD, PhD, who serves as the Director of the Partnership Project, "Hospital to Hospital." Dr. Pavlyuk is with the first lady on her trip to the United States.

The hospital will also be a cutting edge research that will develop and implement innovative cures for the most difficult diseases. The new hospital is reported to cost a minimum of $150 million to build and could require a capital outlay of up to $300 million by the time is it complete furnished.

MISSION OF THE NEW CHILDREN`S HOSPITAL IN KYIV

The mission of the new Children`s Hospital in Kyiv, according to Kateryna Yushchenko, who serves as Chairperson of the Supervisory Council of the International Fund "Ukraine 3000", is:

[1] To be a center of excellence and the best referral center for critically ill children

[2] To provide personalized, high-quality, family centered medical and surgical care to Ukrainian newborns, children and adolescents in a child-friendly environment.

[3] To bring hope to small patients and their families living with difficult health disorders and to protect the health and well-being of children.

INPATIENT DEPARTMENTS, OUTPATIENT CLINICS

The new children`s hospital`s main inpatient departments, outpatient clinics and programs will include: Adolescent Medicine; Anesthesia & Pain Control Service; Behavioral & Development Pediatrics; Bioethics & Social Service Policy Program; Bone Marrow Transplant; Clinical Genetics & Cytogenetics; Clinical Pharmacology; Cord Blood Banking; Dermatology; Dietetics and Nutrition; Ear, Nose, Throat; Speech & Language Therapy; Endrocrinology; Gastroenterology; General & Neonatal Surgery; General Pediatrics; Hematology & Onco-Hematology; Metabolic Medicine & Molecular Genetics; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Nephrology; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Oncology; Pediatric Accident & Emergency Department; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Perinatal Center; Physiotherapy; Plastic Surgery; Prenatal Testing Program; Psychology, Psychosocial & Family Services; Radiology; Rehabilitation Programs; Telehealth Programs; Transport; and a Volunteer Program according to the booklet, "This Ukrainian Child Can Hope For A Normal Life" published by the Ukraine 3000 Foundation, being distributed by the Foundation staff who are with the first lady in the United States.

CANCER CENTER

The Hospital will be the most comprehensive children`s Cancer Center in Ukraine. A tragic consequence of the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster is a growing incidence of oncological diseases in the affected population. Each year more and more Ukrainian children are stricken with cancer according to Dr. Vira Pavlyuk.

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS, ORGAN TRANSPLANTS

The date, Ukraine is unable to treat its many children who desperately need bone marrow transplants, organ transplants and other types of serious medical care. A small number are sent for treatment abroad at very high cost while the vast majority are still on waiting lists. This money could be better spent treating children locally, but only with the necessary facilities and equipment.

PRENATAL AND NEONATAL CARE

Another priority of the new hospital will be prenatal and neonatal care. The Foundation believes that by promoting healthy pregnancies and births, the number of children who need medical care in the future can

be decreased.

The Medical Center will be open on a cost-free basis for those Ukrainian infants, children, adolescents and mothers who need specialized medical care.

LOCATED IN FEOFANIA PARK MEDICAL CENTER - KYIV

THE CHILDREN`S HOSPITAL IN KYIV will be located in Feofania Park Medical Center, a facility that since Soviet times was exclusively reserved for Communist Party and government officials. This facility will now be opened for the needs of the general population.

CHILDREN`S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION (CHF)

The Ambassador for Ukraine`s Children, Kateryna Yushchenko, said a Children`s Hospital Foundation (CHF) will be created to manage construction and fund raising for the project. The CHF Supervisory Board will provide project oversight and implement a major plan of action that will achieve the main goals and objectives needed for the development of the new hospital.

[1] Raise funds from domestic and foreign legal entities and private persons; form a plan of fundraising measures in Ukraine and abroad.

[2] Perform all the organizational work with respect to investment of the raised funds in the project of construction and further equipping of the Children`s Hospital in Kyiv.

[3] Organize an international competition for a general contractor with experience in building medical facilities.

[4] Provide effective and transparent management of financial flows and regularly report to the providers of charity funds on their end use.

[5] Control the quality of the construction and works being performed.

[6] Conduct consultations, formulate additional requirements to tender conditions with respect to the attraction of sub-contract organizations, approve results of tenders and contests on performance of works and provisions of services.

HOW YOU CAN HELP - PARTNERS & DONORS NEEDED

The new booklet developed by the Ukraine 3000 Foundation passed out at the events attended by Mrs. Yushchenko outline how donations can be made to support the work for children. One can support the implementation of this important project by making a donation to the International Charitable Fund "Ukraine 3000" the following ways:

[1] DONATION OF UKRAINIAN HRYVNAS (UAH)

Beneficiary: International Charitable Fund "Ukraine 3000"

Code EDRPOU: 26167513

ACC: 26006301003457 at "Transbank", MFO 300089

Details of Payment: Donation

[2] DONATION OF EUROS (EUR)

Beneficiary: International Charitable Fund "Ukraine 3000",

Account Number 26006301003457

Beneficiary`s Bank: Transbank, Kyiv, Ukraine,

S.W.I.F.T. Code: TRNSUAUK

Correspondent Bank: Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

S.W.I.F.T. Code: DEUTDEFF, Account Number 9470410

Details of payment: Donation

[3] DONATION OF UNITED STATES DOLLARS (USD):

Beneficiary: International Charitable Fund "Ukraine 3000",

Account Number 26006301003457

Beneficiary`s Bank: Transbank, Kyiv, Ukraine,

S.W.I.F.T. Code: TRNSUAUK

Correspondent Bank: Deutsche Bank Trust Company, NY, NY, USA

S.W.I.F.T. Code: BKTRUS33, Account Number 04-415-633

Details of payment: Donation

NEW U.S. BASED FOUNDATION BEING DEVELOPED

The first lady also told the people of Philadelphia that a new foundation is presently being created in the United States that will be responsible for fund-raising in the US. This type of legal structure will make is much easier for U.S. citizens to support the "Hospital to Hospital" program. A new website in English will also be launched soon.

THE FIRST LADY

Ukraine`s first lady, Kateryna Yushchenko, Worldwide Ambassador for Ukraine`s Children, said, "Our country has lived through difficult times of ruin and despair. Now is the time to restore it spiritually and physically. It is time when an individual should look around and help those who need assistance.

Through our cooperation with Ukrainian and international organizations, governments, businesses and individuals in Ukraine and around the world, we encourage the development of a tradition of people helping people, and through that, a revival of the old Ukrainian culture of charity. Together we can do more. The time for better healthcare for Ukraine`s children is now."

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE

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CONTACTS

Kateryna Yushchenko, Chairperson of the Supervisory Council

International Fund "Ukraine 3000"

22A, Borychiv Tik str., 04070 Kyiv, Ukraine

Tel: 380 44 467 6789, Fax: 380 44 467 6783

E-Mail: info@ukraine3000.org.ua

Web: http://www.Ukraine3000.org.ua

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Vira Pavlyuk, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor

Director of Partnership Project, "Hospital to Hospital"