The Ukrainian government is making changes to its Medical Forces leadership in response to repeated requests from medics and volunteers. On November 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the dismissal of Medical Forces Commander Tetiana Ostashchenko and the appointment of Anatolii Kazmirchuk as her replacement. Kazmirchuk, who previously led the National Military Medical Clinical Center in Kyiv, will be tasked with implementing a new level of medical support for Ukrainian soldiers.
Ostashchenko’s dismissal comes after months of criticism from lawmakers and reports that the Medical Forces Command had failed to properly equip soldiers. Lawmaker Solomiia Bobrovska stated that no first aid kits were purchased in 2023 and that aid provided by international organizations was not adequately checked. The need for “fundamentally new” medical support, as mentioned by President Zelensky, emphasizes the importance of high-quality equipment, training, and communication with combat medics.
While the Defense Ministry had previously denied reports of Ostashchenko’s dismissal, the decision was welcomed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Umerov outlined three major requirements for the Medical Forces going forward, including digitizing medical standard compliance, following NATO standards for tactical medicine training, and ensuring a constant rotation of personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted President Zelensky to dismiss the Medical Forces Commander?
The decision to dismiss Tetiana Ostashchenko was made following repeated requests from Ukrainian medics and volunteers for a change in leadership due to concerns over the lack of proper equipment and support for soldiers.
Who is the new Medical Forces Commander?
Anatolii Kazmirchuk, the former head of the National Military Medical Clinical Center in Kyiv, has been appointed as the new Medical Forces Commander.
What are the major requirements for the Medical Forces going forward?
According to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the major requirements for the Medical Forces are: digitizing medical standard compliance, following NATO standards for tactical medicine training, and ensuring a constant rotation of personnel.
Sources: example.com