The recent tragic incident in Kherson has deeply shaken us all – the enemy killed young ENT specialist Dmytro Bilyi on his first day at work. The doctor, killed by Russians, symbolizes the face of modern Ukrainian medicine.
In a traditional video address, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Head of the UGCC, shared this sentiment, as reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.
"He perished at his workplace. Alongside him was a critically injured nurse. This young doctor, who sacrificed his life while serving the sick in Ukraine, stands as a symbol and representation of modern Ukrainian medicine. During the full-scale war, 177 healthcare facilities were destroyed, and nearly 1,500 were damaged. Official data indicates that 146 medical workers lost their lives, with 33 of them perishing at their workplaces," stated the Primate.
He noted that every year, on August 9 (according to the Julian calendar), Ukraine prays for medical workers. It's a significant opportunity for us as a nation, as a Church, and as grateful patients to express our gratitude to medical workers who, under extraordinary circumstances and during times of war, save human lives.
"Today, we want to say 'Thank you!' to our dear medical professionals: doctors, paramedics, nurses, and orderlies. We extend our gratitude to our military medics who save the lives of those defending the Motherland," the Primate said.
"A few months ago," the UGCC Patriarch recalled, "in January, when the All-Ukrainian Church Council visited His Holiness the Pope, we presented Pope Francis with a list of 41 captive medical workers who are unlawfully held in Russian captivity. Unfortunately, none of them have been released yet. Let us remember them all in our prayers."