Chornobyl 25 Remember!

The New Pathway’s John Pidkowich interviewed Renata Roman, co-president with Dr. Michael Kondracki, of the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund. Renata discussed the activity and development of the CCCF and upcoming April events to mark the 25 anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster and commemoration of its victims.

John Pidkowich: What is the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund?

Renata Roman: The Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund is a project that started in 1990 as a result of the Chornobyl Nuclear Station reactor explosion that occurred on April 26, 1986 in Ukraine. Still part of the Soviet system, there was a lot of cover up with Chornobyl.  Members of Ukrainian medical society in Toronto – doctors, dentists, physio, pharmacists and others – decided that they wanted to help the people in their homeland affected by the Chornobyl blast. They decided the best way to achieve this was to send aide from Canada. Initially, the project was medically based. Their thought was to provide affected Ukrainians with what they might not have access to – North American style medicine, be it medical beds, medical drugs, hospital supplies and diagnostic equipment. 

As CCCF started building relationships on an individual hospital basis, a hospital would be called or else they would call us to state that they are in a certain zone around the Chornobyl area and require certain items. In Canada, we would search, shop or try to get donations for these items. We primarily focused on hospitals around the Chornobyl exclusion zone, one of them in Ivankiw, located only 17 km away. Obviously, a lot of people were affected by the Chornobyl blast and a hospital would be the first place they would seek medical attention.

There are other areas of Ukraine, where a portion of the people evacuated from in and around Chornobyl in 1986 would have been resettled. For example, in Volyn and Zhytomyrschyna, small towns were built to accommodate these people or they resettled in existing smaller towns that could handle a larger population. Some of the radioactive dust plume travelled across northern and western Ukraine like, Volyn, Ternopil and Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. People living in these areas were presented with symptoms and needed to be tested and treated at their local hospital. At CCCF we focus on the smaller rural or rayonni hospitals which are less equipped than their big city counterparts.

JP.: The response of original medical committee was to meet the immediate medical and material needs of people affected by the radioactive plume, released by the Chornobyl explosion. How has CCCF work developed with these people over the few years after Chornobyl and until today, now 25 years?

RR.: As our organization grew, so did a lot of the number of hospitals. Presently, there are nearly 20 hospitals across Ukraine that we support. Our work has changed in that now we’re not focusing on sending medical and first aid supplies. Ukraine has developed its own medical supply chains, which makes it easier for the to use local equipment, whether diagnostic, medical or surgical and medicines.

Now, we’re focusing more on education – educating and empowering the doctors in terms of what is required of them and addressing changing medical needs of the population.  Coming from a Communist system, we may still see some remnants of the old style of practicing medicine. Over the last few years, younger Ukrainian doctors have started to step up to the plate, taking over supervisory positions, showing more interest in Western-style medicine. North America is a preferred place for them to visit. Germany and Italy are also places where Ukrainian doctors may go on courses and bring knowledge back with them. As opposed to just giving them equipment, we’re trying to change their outlook and teach them to improve their facilities. By teaching them project and outcome based medicine, we expect to see changes in Ukraine’s medical system. The primary goal is to provide the best care possible for all who suffered in the disaster.

JP.: Therefore, how have Ukrainian doctors’ methods of medical care delivery changed?

RR.: At the beginning of our work, Ukrainian doctors followed more strict behaviour, possibly difficult to admit the fear that their medical practice was lacking certain knowledge that we would expect them to have. We now find that they are more receptive to newer techniques and have a willingness to learn. The doctors now have made almost a 180 degree turn-around from Soviet run to more Western style hospitals. Every doctor has the ability to affect how his patients are to receive more individualized care.   All doctors now have readily available Internet access, instead of just one head doctor, allowing for more education and sharing of knowledge. They routinely listen to medical podcasts about various medical topics.  We are proposing, that they submit a project, with proposals, equipment required, expected outcomes, and positive effects on their community. Therefore, we can analyze the project for its benefits and offer direction. Money from CCCF can be given towards the purchase of equipment and any courses or training. We are looking for long-term benefits and how to help medical practitioners help themselves.

JP.: How has the Children of Chornobyl organization diversified into other parts of society beyond the medical or immediate health concerns of people in Ukraine?

RR.: In the 25 years since Chornobyl, the needs of people have changed to the treatment of radiation exposure’s less prevalent long-term health effects. There are other physical conditions related to the radiation such as eye problems, lower birth weights as well as psychological and social problems affecting many. Some of these conditions are not readily understood. We have started to diversify our assistance in terms of other medical projects. The Dzherelo Children’s Rehabilitation Centre in Lviv is a very good example of how North American-trained medical practitioners, influenced this project. This centre provides treatment for children with neurological and other medical physical disabilities – primarily cerebral palsy and birth defects. Dzherelo became one of our first projects which showed the co-operation between Canadian medical training and Ukrainian practitioners. Now Dzherelo is the prime centre in Ukraine to assess, diagnose and treat children from ages 6 months to 18 years with disabilities. 

Another project is Help Us Help The Children, which started by working with orphans who lost their parents due to radiation caused by the Chornobyl event. This project grew into working with more orphanages across Ukraine willing to send their children to summer camps, giving them the chance to get out into the country, rejuvenate from the effects of the Chornobyl blast and cloud that spread radiation fallout.

This camp set in the Carpathian Mountains. There, the children relax and at the same time, they are taught life skills to help them in the future. Health practices are reviewed.  The camps started with a small number of children and now they’ve expanded to annual 2 week summer camps for 300 to 400 children sent from all over Ukraine.

Education is a big part of the camp program, encouraging students to stay in school and seek higher education at a technical college or university level. This effort has been strongly supported by Mr. James Temerty from Toronto who annually funds students to attend institutions of higher learning, who otherwise may not be able to afford to do so one their own. To date we have sent over $20 million of medical/support to Ukraine, be it monetary donations or donations in kind i.e. equipment.

JP.: Since you are a group that has diversified, a healthy sign of a growing entity, how have you been partnering with other groups or institutions?

RR.: In Ukraine, we have partnered with various groups. The charitable organization “Nove Pokolinnya” (New Generation) acts as our representative “on the ground”. They help with delivery of supplies through customs and delivery to hospitals, even H1N1 Virus medical supplies distribution. Their members also help organize and run the summer camps and organize the students for the scholarship program.  

Recently, we’ve started approaching major hospitals in Toronto to help with us set up education programs. The Ukrainian community has medical specialists working at Sick Children’s Hospital, Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, who are willing to partner with us by having doctors from Ukraine come to train in Toronto for a limited period of time. In order achieve this goal, we’ve established contact with key doctors in Toronto to start a tutorial programs thereby, bringing doctors from Ukraine to Toronto or have Canadian doctors travel and teach in Ukraine.

JP.: How is CCCF planning to mark the 25 anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster and commemorate the victims who died directly from the reactor explosion and have been afflicted with illness caused by radiation exposure from nuclear fallout?

RR.: To mark this solemn occasion, the CCCF is presenting a number of events in Toronto: a theatrical drama set at the time of Chornobyl on April 17 at The Golden Lion, a large photographic exhibit of present day Chornobyl at UCAF on Bloor St. West, running from April 26-May 4, a Commemorative Prayer service on April 26, and a commemorative concert on May 6 at the Plast Huculak Centre featuring Vesnivka Choir, with the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir, Elmer Isler Singers and Gryphon Trio.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund, I wish to thank all the donors, supporters and volunteer workers over the years who have made CCCF and its projects the success story it has become today.

(For Chornobyl 25 event, place and time details, please see community calendar on page 15.) 

PHOTO
Renata Roman, co-president of the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund