A GROUP of North East doctors have been overwhelmed by support for their drive to provide much-needed medical supplies to the war-torn Ukraine.

Medical Aid Ukraine - North East put out an appeal to NHS trusts across the regoin for any medical, surgical or first aid supplies that are soon to expire or would be disposed of.

Within a week of forming their group, the NHS has helped them fill a warehouse with vital supplies for field hospitals.

The Northern Echo: Dr Karolis Rozanas in a warehouse full of medical supplies ready for transport to Ukraine Dr Karolis Rozanas in a warehouse full of medical supplies ready for transport to Ukraine

Karolis Rozanas, 37, who is from Lithuania and a foundation year 2 doctor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, co-founded Medical Aid Ukraine North East with Katarzyna Kostrzewa 35, a surgical trainee with Health Education England North East.

Katarzyna, who was born in Poland, is helping with the national coordination effort, while Karolis’s wife, Rugile Rozane, 32, who is currently training to be a psychiatrist at Northumbria Healthcare’s North Tyneside General Hospital was also instrumental in setting up the group.

Read more: North Tees NHS doctor from Ukraine renews plea to North East people

Dr Rozanas said: "We have got all sorts of medical equipment that is essential for running field hospitals, including disinfectant, gauze, bandages, gloves, splints, neck braces, resuscitation masks, thermal foil blankets, single-use surgical kits and tourniquets. 

The Northern Echo: Pictured in a North East warehouse is Medical Aid Ukraine founder Karolis Rozanas, 37, a doctor from Lithuania who works at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, pictured with his wife Rugile Rozane (32), who is currently training to be a psychiatrist at Northumbria Healthcare’s North Tyneside General Hospital Pictured in a North East warehouse is Medical Aid Ukraine founder Karolis Rozanas, 37, a doctor from Lithuania who works at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, pictured with his wife Rugile Rozane (32), who is currently training to be a psychiatrist at Northumbria Healthcare’s North Tyneside General Hospital

"We have been very successful with that. Thingss have grown very quickly. Within a week we have a warehouse full of stuff. 

"I am overwhelmed and really proud of everyone who is involved and who have contributed." 

He added: "People are still joining us and getting involved. 

"We were able to tap into a lot of local people who want to help. And by doing that we hae been able to tap into their contacts.

"There are people from all walks of life, including retired NHS CEOs, who have all the contacts and the time to help."

Medical Aid Ukraine North East is working closely with the British Ukrainian Aid Charity, the Ukrainian Medical Association and other national organisations and charities,

Supplies are being collected by nine Medical Aid Ukraine hubs across the UK and will be transported to a central point and then onto Ukraine.

Read more: North East doctors collect vital medical supplies

The group is aslo supported by Vladyslav Vovk, 26, a Ukrainian-born foundation 2 doctor working at North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Nicola Elliott, 32, who is a nurse practitioner at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and whose grandfather was born in Ukraine, and Elliott Philips, 25, who is currently a GP trainee working in Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s A&E department.

Anthony Robson, managing director for QE Facilities, said: “QE Facilities and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust are working with the Ukrainian Medical Association via Ukraine Medical Aid North East to provide some medical supplies and are coordinating logistics for the North East and beyond to offer our support.

“We are storing goods to be palletised and forwarded on via the network and have started to pick up medical equipment and supplies from GPs and clinics. We will continue to offer our support, wishes, and thoughts to everyone affected, both at home and away.”

An appeal has also gone uout to companies or individuals who can help with transport. 

Anyone who would like to help help can get more information by visiting Medical Aid Ukraine - North East on Facebook or email medicalaidukraine.northeast@gmail.com. 

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