Cypriot volunteer doctors ready to start work on Ukraine border

A volunteer group of Cypriot doctors and nurses arrived on the Romanian town of Radauti, close to the border with Ukraine early Tuesday to provide medical assistance to refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Dr Georgios Makriyiannis will be heading the mission, which is being carried out by the ‘Volunteer Doctors of Cyprus’ in partnership with “Médecins du Monde” of Greece.

The team consists of one pathologist, two paediatricians, two nurses and one auxiliary general practitioner.

Speaking to reporters at Larnaca airport prior to the flight, Makriyiannis expressed hope that the situation could improve soon. He also added that the doctors carried enough medicines to last for a week.

“Cypriots have a big heart and respond to the needs of people in need. We will do our best during our time there to offer help to the ones fleeing the war,” he said.

Aside from Makriyiannis, the team is comprised of doctors Christos Neocleous and Katerina Sialou, as well as nurses Konstantina Roussia and Filios Corfiotou.

The doctors will carry out their duties from a mobile clinic and return to Cyprus on April 4.

Makriyiannis on Monday also told Cyprus Mail that the group is currently planning two more missions at a later date in Moldova, where cardiologists will also be part of the team, and in Poland.

“Once a ceasefire of the conflict will be established, we will also enter Ukrainian territory and offer our services there,” he said.