Press release
Ireland donates ambulances and other life-saving equipment to Ukraine
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy have welcomed the dispatch of further donations of life-saving medical humanitarian support to Ukraine over recent weeks.
A consignment of 10 decommissioned HSE ambulances left Ireland last night having been repurposed and equipped for use in Ukraine. Supported by the relevant government departments, the HSE and its National Ambulance Service have organised the donation, with support from HSE staff, Medical Help Ukraine and volunteers. Transport to Ukraine has been arranged by Lifeline Ambulance Services.
This latest donation of ambulances follows a number of recent donations of medical equipment, appliances and consumables delivered through collaboration between partners working across the health sector including the HSE, Medical Help Ukraine, Lifeline Ambulance Services, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and others. These donations bring the total value of medical donations to Ukraine from Ireland, coordinated by the HSE and other health agencies, since the onset of the conflict to over €4.3 million.
Ireland’s support is part of the wider EU effort to address the medical humanitarian needs arising from the conflict in Ukraine, coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).
These donations are just one aspect of the response of the Irish health sector to the Ukraine crisis and a part of the extensive Irish government response to ensure support to Ukrainians in Ukraine, neighbouring countries and those arriving in Ireland.
It is a priority for the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that when people effected by the crisis in Ukraine arrive in Ireland, they are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
The HSE health response model is in operation at Citywest National Transit and Processing Centre. This model provides for:
A streamlined Medical Card process for the Ukrainian population is in place. Information on how to apply and an introduction to health services in Ireland is available in Ukrainian, Russian and English in Citywest on the HSE website.
HSELive, the HSE’s personal contact centre, has recruited Ukrainian staff and they are available to support people with information about the health service Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The HSE, in consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), has developed a framework to make provision for a range of options to deliver GP services to displaced Ukrainians who are living in temporary accommodation. GP out of hours services are accessible as required.
Enhanced interpretation services are in place to support optimal engagement between healthcare teams and Ukrainians who are accessing services.
The HSE has issued public health guidance to inform local service response models.
Minister Donnelly said:
“Ireland is sending another significant consignment of life-saving medical support to Ukraine. Since March, Ireland’s health sector has delivered over €4 million in donations of medical equipment and supplies to Ukraine as part of our commitment to the wider coordinated EU effort. As the appalling conflict in Ukraine continues into its fourth month, it is important that we demonstrate that Ireland’s commitment to the health of the people of Ukraine remains steadfast."
Minister Brophy said:
“This medical aid is further evidence of Ireland’s continued solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Irish Aid’s prepositioned humanitarian funding enabled UN agencies and the Red Cross to respond immediately to help those affected by the Russian invasion. Our additional €20 million in humanitarian support is helping meet the needs of people most affected by the invasion, both in Ukraine and those who have sought shelter in neighbouring countries. This further additional medical support will provide practical and life-saving assistance as people in Ukraine continue to live through the horror of Russia’s war.”
Ireland is providing medical items to Ukraine in response to the formal requests for assistance received from the governments of Ukraine and neighbouring countries through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The donations above are the latest in a series by Ireland over recent months.
For information on the previous medical donations dispatched from Ireland please see:
The ambulances being donated have been decommissioned, or taken out of use in the Irish context, in accordance with the HSE Ambulance Replacement Programme. Although they are not suitable for continued use in the Irish context they still have some value and can be donated to contexts where there is a use. In this case they have been inspected, refitted and repurposed to send to Ukraine.
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is coordinating the communication of these donations through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, working with the Department of Health, the HSE, Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and others.
This support from Ireland is part of the coordinated effort by EU Member States currently underway to provide a collaborative humanitarian response following requests for assistance from Ukraine. Within the EU this response is led by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.