Latest news with #medicaloutreach
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
South Sudan: Free medical care by Indian peacekeepers gives hope to over 300 displaced people
As security concerns continue in parts of Upper Nile state, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is making every effort to protect civilians and boost community confidence. As an example—Blue Helmets from India hosted a two-day medical outreach at the UN Protection of Civilians site, adjacent to the Mission's base in Malakal where some 315 displaced people received free treatment. Patients suffering from various ailments were diagnosed and provided with care options. For Dr. Sandeep Ravi, a medical peacekeeper, such interventions lie at the heart of the UN Peacekeeping mission's mandate to help build lasting peace in this country. 'Accessible and inclusive healthcare is key for communities to thrive. Across Upper Nile state, conflict has disrupted not only people's lives and livelihoods but also reduced the number of available health facilities. So, we decided to come together and, for a limited time, bridge this gap as much as possible,' he explained. 'Bringing quality healthcare directly to communities goes beyond free consultations and treatment. It gives hope to people who are most vulnerable.' Mary Joseph, a 20-year-old patient, can testify to Dr Ravi's opinion. 'I've had a problem with my leg for three months now but had no money to pay for treatment at the local clinics in town. Today, Indian doctors have examined me carefully and given me medications to treat the condition as well as manage my pain. I hope I can restart my small business soon,' she said with a smile. Albino Amum, a community leader residing at the camp who helped peacekeepers mobilize this event, described the activity as timely and significant. 'Earlier, we were receiving healthcare from various international and nongovernmental organizations, but we understand that there is a reduction in funding, which has left a big vacuum. So, this medical drive by our friends at UNMISS came at a very opportune time. We hope they'll consider doing similar activities for us for five or six days in future. It makes a big difference for those who are financially constrained yet need urgent health checks,' stated Mr. Amum. For his part, Dr. Ravi reveals that the biggest satisfaction was the response from community members. 'As medical professionals and peacekeepers, there is no greater reward than the genuine appreciation we have received from the displaced communities we treated. I believe this initiative is a testament to what collective effort and compassion can achieve in strengthening public health.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Pitching in: Fundraising for Canada-Ukraine Foundation
The organizers: Bert Clark, Roman Dubczak and Tim Griffin The pitch: Raising more than $1-million and climbing The cause: The Canada-Ukraine Foundation Roman Dubczak likes to joke that he's probably the best-known Ukrainian-Canadian on Bay Street. 'I'm the only Roman,' he said with a laugh. Mr. Dubczak was born and raised in Toronto and has spent more than 30 years with CIBC, where he is deputy chair of capital markets. His parents immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in the 1950s, and he has three cousins who live near Lviv. Ever since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February, 2022, there has been a flurry of donations to help various causes in Ukraine. Bert Clark, chief executive of Investment Management Corporation of Ontario, wanted Toronto's financial district to get involved as well. He organized the Bay Street Breakfast for Ukraine in 2023 and invited former Ontario premier and UN ambassador Bob Rae to speak. The event raised around $300,000 for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation to help fund its medical outreach programs in Ukraine. Mr. Dubczak got involved as well along with Tim Griffin, former chief executive of Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital. They followed up with a second breakfast in June, 2024, featuring Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Kyiv-based human-rights lawyer. That event also raised more than $300,000 for the foundation. The group is planning a third breakfast on June 6, the day before Ukraine's national soccer team plays Canada in the Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The speaker will be Ukrainian soccer legend Andriy Shevchenko. The organizers are hoping to raise as much as $400,000, putting the total for all three events at more than $1-million. Mr. Dubczak said he keeps in close contact with his relatives in Ukraine and supports several local initiatives. 'It's tough to call and say, 'How's it going?'' he said. 'You feel you're not doing enough.' He has two sons and a daughter in their 20s and knows that if they were in Ukraine, the boys would likely be in the military. 'You feel it. It's drawn me in a lot more,' he added. The group plans to hold the breakfast again next year when the emphasis will likely be on raising money to rebuild Ukraine. And while interest in the war has waned, Mr. Dubczak said, the Bay Street crowd is still very much engaged. 'The awareness and the passion is very, very high on this topic.'
