Despite being one of the European countries that is furthest from Ukraine, Spain is the second country in the European Union that has welcomed the most sick and war-wounded Ukrainians since the war broke out after the Russian invasion, about 100 days ago . As La Vanguardia has learned from government sources, until June 3, a total of 160 patients have been received in hospitals throughout the Spanish geography. The majority, in serious condition, are cancer patients who require hospital care and minors with psychiatric problems.
Two weeks after the start of the war, the European Commission activated the Medevac Operation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism for the evacuation of war wounded and sick who were receiving treatment in hospitals devastated by the Russian invasion. Once the conflict zone has been abandoned, the majority of patients congregate in Poland and Moldova, countries bordering Ukraine.
There, with saturated health systems, is where they are classified to later offer them a hospital place in another European country where they can be treated. Spain, which has shown its active willingness from the start, has offered more than 2,600 places thanks to the coordination between the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities, from where a unanimous predisposition was offered. The Ministry of the Interior also participates through Civil Protection.
Until last week, Spain was the country with the largest number of hosts above Germany, which is now in the lead with 204 patients in its hospital network. Something logical due to its proximity to the invaded country: both at a logistical level for travel and due to the desire of the sick to be as close as possible to their homes for a future return home.
Spain (160) is followed with half of the patients by Italy (88), Norway (19), Belgium (13) and France (10). The figures show that the injured prefer nearby hospitals, but also that the Spanish offer, due to its quality and availability, is preferable. They have also taken in Ukrainian war-wounded from Romania, Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal.
Moncloa and the hospitals to which the Ukrainians have arrived have treated this government operation with total discretion to preserve the privacy of the injured patients and their companions. The patients have not arrived in Spain directly from Ukraine, but have set foot on national territory through regular flights from Poland and Moldova, according to the same sources. All expenses are borne by the European mechanism that was activated about 90 days ago. In some cases, the accompaniment of health personnel has been required. The transferred minors have arrived with their guardians, who are also being covered for their entire stay, as are the elderly dependents.
The first arrivals that occurred after the start of the war were, for the most part, of minors requiring hospitalization for psychiatric illnesses. However, at the moment, the bulk of Ukrainians cared for in Spanish centers are cancer patients with stages that require hospital care. In any case, these are patients with special treatments that cannot be provided in field hospitals.
The government sources consulted describe as “successful” the gear between the different administrations that is allowing this show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Assistance that is expected to continue until conditions become favorable, although, the same sources specify, it is not expected that the more than 2,600 places that have been made available will be covered.
