The Need         Our Response         The Future of Medical Care

AMERICAN JEWISH MEDICAL CENTER/DNEPROPETROVSK, UKRAINE

The  Need

After years of observing the abysmal medical conditions in the Former Soviet Union, GJARN has undertaken the enormous task of establishing a state-of-the-art medical center in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine to serve that city and the surrounding area.

Medical care in the FSU is dismal. Hospitals often lack the most essential supplies and equipment.  In many cases they do not have heat and patients must wear winter clothing and coats as they shiver under thin blankets.  It is important to keep in mind that winters in the FSU are severe with temperatures routinely dipping down to 30 degrees below zero.  The cold in an unheated building in this climate can be bone-chilling and extremely dangerous.

Surgeries often take place with outdated, inadequate equipment.  Patients must more often than not supply their own linen, food and medicines. Exacerbating an already tragic situation is the fact that patients often have to "pay" the State doctors and nurses to care for them and perform surgeries even though the Government guarantees free medical care for all its citizens.

Our response

Seeing this horrifying lack of proper medical care which complicates even further the lives of the families to whom we provide emergency food assistance, we made the decision to initiate a medical center which would provide consistent, up-to-date care.

In keeping with our mandate to work in close partnership with other organizations to maximize the care we provide, GJARN has established close relationships with Project VISION, the Boston Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), and the American Jewish Fellowship for Physicians in Israel, all of whom will provide important medical resources for this project.

In Dnepropetrovsk, GJARN has established a Board consisting of representatives from all local Jewish organizations: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Chesed Social Service Organization, the Jewish Community Center, the local Synagogue.  In addition, representatives from all major local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) will participate as well.

Physicians from Ukraine who will staff the new clinic are flown to the United States for special training at, among other facilities: Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard, Boston General, and the University of North Carolina Dental School.

The American Jewish Medical Center will provide care in the following areas:
 

  • Optometry
  • Ophthalmology
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Family Dentistry
  • Family Medicine
  • Education in Nutrition and Preventive Care
  • Education in Basic First Aid
  • Pediatrics - linked to Boston JCRC clinic
  • OB/GYN - linked to Boston JCRC clinic
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Consultations via e-mail and Tel-Med for severe cases


The Future of Medical Care in Ukraine

The American Jewish Medical Center, which is going to change the face of medical care in Ukraine and the surrounding areas and save lives that might otherwise be lost, is scheduled to open in early 2000.  It is being established at a cost of over $5,000,000.  As a part of the USDA’s monetization program, GJARN has received approximately $1,000,000 towards this project.

We Need Your Help

The site has been purchased, plans are drawn up, and renovations have begun at a cost of $300,000.
To complete the initial renovations and begin construction of the additional space will require another $500,000.

Bringing Ukrainian physicians to the United States for six to eight months of intensive training will cost on average over $2,500 per month per doctor (includes air fare, tuition, apartment rental, stipend for food, etc.). With a minimum of eight physicians being trained at no less than six months each, expenses will begin at $120,000.

The medical equipment needed for the Center is currently estimated at $1,800,000.  In addition to purchasing items, GJARN is also actively seeking the donation of used equipment from hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices.  When hospitals close or merge, or offices upgrade, there is often good, useable equipment available.  GJARN is looking for assistance in identifying, locating and contacting these facilities.

Medical missions for volunteer U.S. doctors who will come to the Center to lend their expertise and treat patients, cost on average $25,000 per mission (airfare, hotels, food, etc.).  In addition, because care is being offered free to families, there is the need to subsidize check-ups, treatments, and surgeries

To purchase a brick

Bringing Ukrainian physicians to the United States for six to eight months of intensive training will cost on average over $2,500 per month per doctor (includes air fare, tuition, apartment rental, stipend for food, etc.).

Medical missions for volunteer U.S. doctors who will come to the Center to lend their expertise and treat patients, cost on average $25,000 per mission (airfare, hotels, food, etc.).  In addition, because care is being offered free to families, there is the need to subsidize check-ups, treatments, and surgeries

To make your donation

The medical equipment needed for the Center is currently estimated at $1,800,000.  In addition to purchasing items, GJARN is also actively seeking the donation of used equipment from hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices.  When hospitals close or merge, or offices upgrade, there is often good, useable equipment available.  GJARN is looking for assistance in identifying, locating and contacting these facilities.

To donate equipment

For more information on the American Jewish Medical Center and how you can become a part of this lifesaving new facility, please click on How You Can Help or send an email to: AJMC@gjarn.org