By Aleksandar Vasovic

KYIV (Reuters – Mothers and their babies are able to find comfort in the basement of Ohmadyt Children’s Hospital, Kyiv. They sleep on blankets and makeshift beds that lie on both sides of the concrete aisle.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has left behind many older children, who cannot return to their homes or with their families.

The shock felt by many Ukrainians at the discovery of a conflict they didn’t know existed is shared by staff, patients, and their families. Their immediate concern is survival, just like others.

Volodymyr Zihovnir, the chief surgeon of Volodymyr Hospital, told reporters Monday that “these are patients who can’t receive any medical treatment at their home. They cannot live without medication and without medical staff.”

Ohmadyt, the biggest of its type in the country, has approximately 600 patients. However, the number now stands at around 200.

After being injured in the armed clashes, a wounded 13-year-old boy was brought to a hospital by his ambulance. He was then taken to a surgical ward where nurses and surgeons performed surgery.

Four children were treated so far for bullet and shrapnel wounds. They are victims of the shelling around Kyiv as well as skirmishes among Ukrainian and Russian forces. One of the children remains in grave condition.

Maryna is one of the many mothers in the hospital. Her nine-year old son has a rare blood cancer and requires frequent treatment.

Although the streets were empty, sirens warning of a possible Russian attack rang out earlier Monday. Russia considers its action in Ukraine an “special operation.”

Maryna stated, “There’s bombings and sirens. It is necessary to descend (downstairs)”. She added that she also received treatment there, and the medications she has, but she needed more food…basic stuff.

“WE NEED PEACE”

The hospital was not affected by the bombardment, which has now reached the suburbs of the capital. Staff however reported hearing gunfire over the past few days.

Kyiv prepares for even worse battles as Russian forces approach. The entrance to the hospital was also guarded during the media trip by highly armed police.

Many children lay down on the mats in an underground bunker with their parents, many of them needing additional oxygen or connected to drips.

Patients who are unable to move in intensive care were moved into safe zones of the hospital. In reception areas, children slept on couches; in one corridor of the building, Orthodox icons with gold coloring were placed against a railing.

Also, security for medical personnel is the main focus.

We also need to take care of staff, as if someone is injured or dies, how do we treat them? Valery Bovkun (a microsurgeon from Ohmadyt) asked the question.

Zhovnir, chief surgeon, stated that while the hospital has enough medicines for a month’s supply, it also needs food to feed newborn babies.

“We need peace above all else… this is just the tip of an iceberg. People are asking me, for instance, where can I buy insulin for my children. The pharmacies are closed.”

He was as concerned about the children who couldn’t make it to hospital as he was for those who were there.

The hospital typically treats between six and seven children each day with common ailments like appendicitis. But, that number has dramatically dropped.

“They cannot have vanished.