We continue the series of interviews with members of the Ukrainian Association of Ambulatory Physicians, in which we talk about how their lives have changed since the beginning of the full-scale war. These stories deserve your attention and respect!

Today we talked to Valentina Shportko, an oncologist from the Bucha Consulting and Diagnostic Center.

– Please tell, how has life changed since the beginning of the war?

From the beginning of the full-scale war until March 11, I was in Bucha, and only then I managed to evacuate the green corridor to Kyiv. To be honest, in the first days there was great confusion and anxiety. Then we and other doctors created a medical and social center on the basis of our day hospital. There were few specialists – a surgeon, anesthesiologist, therapist, nurses and orderlies. Together we helped everyone who needed it. A little later, our team was joined by a chef who managed to cook even when there was no water, electricity or gas in the city.

On March 11, my family and all the doctors from our clinic were evacuated because it was very dangerous to stay at home. There was only a cook who cooked food for the locals. His grandmother helped him.

I stayed in Kyiv for almost two months. These were very difficult times for my family. When the city was liberated and life began to return to it, we returned. Immediately upon my return, I started working. Now our clinic works in the same format as before the war, but the only difference is that not all doctors have returned home. Some of them simply no longer have a place to live.

– How did you feel when you returned to Bucha after her release?

I will say this: when you walk along Bucha, it becomes scary, because on the one hand the house is destroyed, on the other hand as well. A shell also hit our house, which almost completely destroyed the apartments on the 9th floor. I live downstairs, then the blast wave just smashed my windows and damaged my balcony. Compared to the condition of other buildings, these are trifles.

Unfortunately, we have not restored anything at home, because we are waiting for help from the state. So far, the authorities have just arrived and drawn up the relevant acts. We live as we can. But thank God that everything is fine with the hospital.

At first there were very few people in Bucha, but over time there are more and more of them. I hope we will soon be able to renew our pre-war life.

I can't say about demining for the whole Bucha, because orcs behaved differently in different areas. It was easier for us in the center, because the occupiers did not live here. And in some areas where they lived, the situation is slightly different. It is probably safer where I live, but I still do not let my two children out unattended, because who knows, they may stay somewhere in the bushes.

– What is the current food situation in Bucha? Can all groceries and essentials be purchased?

Not all stores have resumed their work. Next to my house is a supermarket Novus, it is destroyed and, as locals say, can not be rebuilt, so probably it will be demolished. Some supermarkets and markets have resumed operations, but there are still long queues. Products are disassembled very quickly, so some essential products, such as milk, are not always available.

Unfortunately, many Buchans lost their jobs, and those who are still employed have had their salaries reduced and their working hours increased. Also, a large number of my acquaintances who worked in Kyiv before the war are now experiencing difficulties with logistics, because it is very difficult to get there now. There is a shortage of fuel, the price is high, and the cost of travel on public transport has risen significantly. Therefore, to be honest, life is not easy now.

– Please tell us about your family's volunteering and contribution to the victory of Ukraine?

When I arrived in Kyiv, together with the Buchans who left, we organized a small volunteer center, which collected medicines and food. Basically, there was a need for medicines for people with chronic diseases – hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease. It is also good that our compatriots who went abroad helped us with money. When Bucha was released, our guys came and distributed it to the locals. Then a lot of help was provided by the authorities, so there was no need for our work.

It is also worth noting that my stepson now serves in the Armed Forces. Fortunately, part of it was fully staffed, so they did not need help. We didn't buy him clothes, protection, or anything else.

– How is your hospital working now? Who comes for help?

All of the staff remained, no one was hired. But among the patients now, in addition to local, there are also military. They go without a referral and do not pay anything for our services, because the relevant state program is working well now.

– Is there enough humanitarian aid in Bucha now?

Earlier, of course, there were many more humanitarians. At the beginning of the war, food kits were distributed every day, but now you just can't get them. To do this, you must have special documents.

The situation with medicines is a bit better, because many of the medicines that were brought earlier are still in hospitals. Now therapists are distributing them to those who need it. I know that for people who have problems with the musculoskeletal system and can not come on their own, delivery works. Also, when we had insulin, it was also distributed free of charge to those with diabetes.

The team of the Ukrainian Association of Outpatient Physicians is grateful to Valentina Shportko for such a candid interview. Thank you for your dedicated work! And we continue to work on a series of similar conversations with our colleagues so that as many people as possible learn about their routine heroism. Updates will be later.