Advocacy campaign on respiratory support of population launched in Ukraine

“Razom for Ukraine” Charity Foundation initiated “BREATHE,” advocacy campaign on respiratory support of the population, which supports patients with chronic disorders of the respiratory system by providing medical equipment. The campaign advocates that such support be provided at home, and systematic coordination of work with patients in need of it be introduced in Ukraine.

This topic was talked about during the discussion of the campaign at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

As Dmytro Lufer, a health care expert and Coordinator of “BREATHE” advocacy campaign, noted, the main goal of their systemic work is to ensure that Ukraine has support for the respiratory system itself at the state level. In addition to the funding issue, it covers a number of other important aspects.

“Therefore, we are trying to draw attention to the problem – that’s the first thing. The second thing is to help the state with the development of the system, for this we are studying the already implemented international experiences – there are countries in which it has existed for a long time, there are countries that have recently started such a system. We provide technical help with calculations, that is, how much a certain case costs, how to set it up in a way that will allow the state to be able to estimate the costs, including introducing it in the budget, that is, to understand how it will look, how to do it,” explained the campaign coordinator.

In addition, Dmytro Lufer noted that one of the components of the campaign is to advocate for the respiratory support of patients to be included in medical protocols.

“Another part is protocols. That is, now we are trying to advocate for the introduction of respiratory support into these medical standards and protocols as something that is necessary for patients. Because this is exactly what doctors use in their daily work,” he added.

In addition, Svitlana Solovyova, pediatrician, expert on scientific issues and international experience at “BREATHE” advocacy campaign, explained that respiratory support is a whole field of healthcare industry, which in particular includes: diagnosis of breathing disorders and diagnosis of breathing disorders during sleep, which is not yet widely practiced in Ukraine, counseling patients, coordination of multidisciplinary care, setting up lung ventilation devices, respiratory physical therapy and rehabilitation, etc.

According to her, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, neuromuscular diseases and obstructive sleep apnoea require respiratory support. She added that the issues of spine, neck and chest injuries are also important right now, including those related to military actions, and about 15% of such patients need chronic respiratory support.

Therefore, this issue should be taken to a more systemic level, the pediatrician said.

In addition, according to her, it is necessary to hold training on respiratory support of patients.

“Education is needed at all levels: for pediatricians and therapists, for anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, and even for physical therapists and nurses. And at the moment, we are currently preparing our proposals on how to build a training system, which specialties need a more in-depth and increased understanding of what respiratory support is and how to provide it,” she added.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news