Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital.

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I,
Joining the ranks of the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital, swear to the people of Ukraine to defend Ukraine through all available means and with all my strength, to destroy Ukraine's enemies, to cherish my own dignity, to respect and support my sisters and brothers, to remember the slogan of the glorious Warriors of Kholodny Yar—"Freedom to Ukraine or death"—and never to disgrace the highest rank of a Ukrainian volunteer.

I swear never to betray the Ukrainian people, henceforth, my sisters and brothers.

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Need for volunteers

Anaesthetist

Emergency Medical Doctor

Surgeon

Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon

General Practitioner (GP)

Rehabilitation Therapist

103 224

Patients have received medical treatment from PDMSh volunteer medics since 2014.

1000

Volunteer PDMSh medics have provided medical care in many combat areas.

Locations in which PDMSh volunteer medics have worked since 2014.

Years we have been at war.

About us

PDMSh is the biggest non-governmental project in Ukraine, bringing civilian medics to provide medical care in combat zones. We started saving the wounded and sick in the frontline towns and villages of Donbas in the first year of the war, 2014. Since then, we've been working tirelessly wherever the fighting rages on, offering critical care to those caught in the crossfire

Our Vision

Ongoing Activities

PDMSh’s history

Gallery

We are convinced that our unique blend of volunteer enthusiasm and flexibility with the systematic and strategic governmental approach makes the PDMSh a one-of-a-kind project that lays the foundation for the future of accessible and high-quality mobile medicine in Ukraine. We believe that PDMSh is a sprout of a new Ukraine, which is to be the pride of those who paid the price of their lives to engender its independent, better future.

From the first days of the full-scale russian invasion, PDMSh deployed in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine, mobilising its medics and resources more broadly to fight the russian occupiers and treat wounded Ukrainian defenders, as well as civilians. PDMSh’s stabilisation posts and medical teams currently operate in Donetsk Oblast’s. Over ten years at the front, PDMSh has transformed from a cohort of daredevils into a group of the legendary russia-Ukraine War fighters.

Dec. 1, 2013

The Conception of PDMSh

A Facebook post by Gennadiy Druzenko that started it all.

August 2014

Ilovaisk Tragedy

A couple of dozens of medics to help Maidan.

Dec. 5, 2014

PDMSh Anniversary

PDMSh’s first mission sets off for the front.

Feb. 12-18, 2015

PDMSh Baptised by Fire

PDMSh’s work during the Debaltseve Operation.

Feb. 5, 2016

Memorandum Signed

The signing of a Memorandum between PDMSh, the Health Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Feb. 28, 2022

The Full-Scale War Begins

PDMSh deployment in Kyiv during the full-scale invasion.

April 26-30, 2022

PDMSh Relocation to Donbas

Setting up PDMSh bases in Eastern Ukraine.

January to July 2023

Full-Scale War's Most Intense Phase

Over 2,000 patients per month — nearly 20,000 in seven months.

Dec. 31, 2023

The 30000th Patient

From imminent PDMSh shutdown to its resumed activities.

Several dozens of medics who responded to the Facebook call of Gennadiy Druzenko, the future co-founder of PDMSh, provided care to the first victims of clashes between the police and protesters on Bankova Street near the Administration of the President of Ukraine.

Dec. 1, 2013

The Conception of PDMSh

A Facebook post by Gennadiy Druzenko that started it all.

Gennadiy Druzenko and Yevhen Nayshtetyk, who met on the Maidan on Dec. 1, 2013, decided to organise a volunteer field hospital as a response to the unacceptable losses of Ukrainian troops during the Ilovaisk operation resulting from the lack of proper and timely medical care for wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

August 2014

Ilovaisk Tragedy

A couple of dozens of medics to help Maidan.

The first mission of PDMSh leaves Kyiv for war-torn Donbas. On Dec. 16, PDMSh’s advance group meets in Zelenopillia with the Sector C command. On the same day in the Kurakhiv Hospital, a PDMSh volunteer doctor participates in the rescue of a wounded soldier — PDMSh’s first patient. Since then, Dec. 15, 2014, has been referred to as the birthday of the Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital.

Dec. 5, 2014

PDMSh Anniversary

PDMSh’s first mission sets off for the front.

PDMSh actively participated in rescuing the wounded in the Battle of Debaltseve.

Feb. 12-18, 2015

PDMSh Baptised by Fire

PDMSh’s work during the Debaltseve Operation.

PDMSh signs the Memorandum of Cooperation within the Framework of the Project “Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital” with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Feb. 5, 2016

Memorandum Signed

The signing of a Memorandum between PDMSh, the Health Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

PDMSh deployed on the base of the International Renaissance Foundation in Kyiv. PDMSh’s first patient since the full-scale invasion is evacuated from the Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) to the Kyiv Emergency Hospital.

Feb. 28, 2022

The Full-Scale War Begins

PDMSh deployment in Kyiv during the full-scale invasion.

PDMSh relocated to Donbas and set up bases in Bakhmut and Slovyansk.

April 26-30, 2022

PDMSh Relocation to Donbas

Setting up PDMSh bases in Eastern Ukraine.

The hottest time in PDMSh’s history. More than 2,000 patients every month. About 19,200 patients in seven months of work at the front. Cases of severe injuries, amputations, PCS, evacuations, and work 24/7.

January to July 2023

Full-Scale War's Most Intense Phase

Over 2,000 patients per month — nearly 20,000 in seven months.

On Dec. 31, 2023, we treated the 30000th patient since the beginning of the full-scale war. The last year was probably crucial for PDMSh. In the summer, due to a lack of resources, we even assumed that PDMSh would cease to exist as a voluntary formation. We were ready for the official mobilisation and transformation of the legendary volunteer unit into a medical service within one of the military units. But the Lord had other plans for us. We reduced the number of people at the front as much as possible, reduced the number of locations and crews, and pushed the limits, but we did not give up. We were able to stand out, reformat, and, with renewed strength, continue to do what we can do best — saving lives.

Dec. 31, 2023

The 30000th Patient

From imminent PDMSh shutdown to its resumed activities.

FAQ

What do you need to join the PDMSH?

Fill out the volunteer application on our website: pdmsh.ua/apply Then, based on current needs, a PDMSH HR manager will contact you and provide further instructions.

I want to join the PDMSH, but what about my job?

The procedure for seconding medical workers from medical institutions to the PDMSH is regulated by the Ministry of Health Order No. 814. If we have confirmed your participation in the rotation, we will send a letter to your management in order to facilitate your secondment. At work, you should inform your supervisor of your desire to join the PDMSH and write a corresponding application. Your HR department will then issue an order for your secondment. Therefore, you will keep your job and salary. It's your supervisor who decides whether to second you.

Do PDMSH volunteers receive a salary?

PDMSH volunteers work exclusively on a voluntary basis, without salary or other material rewards. However, PDMSH volunteers receive an entire board and lodging, ammunition for the duration of the rotation, an individual IFAK first-aid kit, and everything needed to exercise the duties of one's role within the rotation. If you are legally seconded, your salary at your place of work will be retained.

Is it necessary to have a medical education?

Medics in the PDMSH are exclusively those with medical education and valid medical certificates. Relevant education is not required if you plan to join the PDMSH as a driver, mechanic, or cook, as your skills and experience will be taken into account in this case.

What is the duration of the rotations?

The rotation in the PDMSH lasts one month.

Can a volunteer choose the direction in which they will work?

The rotation manager decides on the distribution of volunteers according to the current needs in specific areas. If reinforcement is needed in another direction, the volunteer's place of work may be changed directly during the rotation.

Where are you located?

We work on the front lines, saving the lives of wounded and civilians. Before leaving for the rotation, we conduct a coordination meeting in Kyiv, to which we invite volunteers who have agreed to participate. To get on the rotation, you are to leave an application at this link: pdmsh.ua/apply. Registration for the rotation takes place online.

Who can I talk to?

Call the PDMSH hotline: 0800334903

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Phone number

0 800 33 49 03

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