Solutions to win: Ukraine to create separate medical unit to expand combat zone care

The Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, supported the International Legion's concept of creating a separate medical unit. This will allow for the organizational scaling of the provision of medical care in the combat zone.

The medical service of the International Legion of Ukraine's armed forces reported this on Facebook.

The International Legion's military personnel discussed the creation of the unit at public events, congresses, conferences, ministries' offices, and in communication with the high command and other military personnel.

They presented their vision and concept of a separate medical unit at a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces and received support.

This will enable organizational scaling of the experience of International Legion medics and improve the delivery of medical assistance in the combat zone.

^{Photo: Facebook / Medical Service of the International Legion of Ukraine's armed forces}

"Ukrainian service members deserve the best medical care. For some, these are pathetic words. For our unit, this is a firm belief we profess on duty daily. This is our principle.

Guided by this principle, for two and a half years, our medical service has been training, conducting evacuations, and providing assistance at stabilization points in the Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions," the message says.

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The combat medics on the front line face incredibly challenging circumstances. Although some lack formal medical training, they courageously evacuate wounded Ukrainian soldiers every day, all while under enemy fire and armed with weapons.

It is worth mentioning that Ukrainian parliamentarians adopted in the first reading Bill No. 11423, which legally regulates the status of combat medics.

The document will give the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine the authority to approve the scope of tactical pre-hospital care and determine the categories of persons who can provide this care.

The bill is aimed at regulating the legal status of combat medics who provide first aid in combat conditions.

Ukrainian deputy Iryna Herashchenko pointed out the significance of this document in safeguarding military medics due to the abundant number of injured and deceased among them.

It is provided during combat operations and training of security forces and defense forces for their purpose in tactical conditions, as well as to monitor their compliance.

The bill also proposes to regulate the implementation of civil-military cooperation by Ukraine's armed forces at the legislative level.

In 2023, combat medics were allowed to transfuse blood at the pre-hospital stage. This concerns blood transfusions by combat medics at the pre-hospital stage in particular.

The Ministry of Health will also approve 11 more modern protocols for assisting in case of combat injuries.