Very close to the fighting in Ukraine, paramedics are on the front lines. A French intern who left to help the Ukrainians testifies to the risks taken to treat the wounded.
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The ambulance is equipped. The full is done. Edouard ready to go up there, heading for the south-east of Ukraine, as close as possible to the fighting. “The ambulances are very close to the front”, indicates this intern in emergency medicine in France. He left his university in Montpellier three weeks ago to help the Ukrainians. Faced with a possible assault of Russian forces on the Donbass, humanitarians and caregivers are getting organized. Advanced emergency posts are set up a few kilometers from the front lines, in the regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Zaporidjia.
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Edouard, who now works with an association in kyiv, will join one of these positions. “The paramedics take care of the injured in a small outpost that was created on site to try to stabilize the injured for the first 15 to 20 minutes.explains the Frenchman. They must then be taken to the nearest hospital. Afterwards, a secondary transfer must be made so that the nearest hospital always has beds available.”
War and disaster medicine that this 30-year-old will practice with three Ukrainians and a Canadian from the end of the week in an international brigade that he has joined despite the risks. “The Russians are shooting at ussays Edward. The ambulances are camouflaged and in the teams, there are four of us with a soldier in them, because the Russians absolutely do not respect the laws of war.”
Some ambulances return with bullet fragments and damaged windshields. It will however be necessary to make do with a classic vehicle – there are no armored vehicles – and the drugs available. “We do not know exactly in which region we are goingexplains Edward. I came to treat and I especially want to take good care of the patients. This is above all my apprehension, you have to mobilize your knowledge in a place that is outside of everything you can do in France.”
There is no question of backing down, supports Edouard, who explains that he came here to defend the Ukrainians in their fight “for freedom”.