Healthcare has always been a top social priority, both in good and bad times. Serhii Soshinsky, a graduate of the MBA in Healthcare program in 2010 and currently the president of the Health of the Ukrainian People charitable foundation, has launched the "SaveTheLimb" initiative. In his interview, he discusses the foundation's work, its assistance to people during wartime, and the role of business education.
- Could you please tell us about the foundation and the people you help?

- Certainly. Our foundation is a national program with a wide range of activities aimed at assisting both civilians and the military during the war. We provide support to individuals who have suffered combat injuries, explosive injuries, and various traumas. Additionally, we offer assistance to civilians affected by shelling. In fact, our first patient was a woman who survived a shelling incident near Kyiv. We procure orthopedic equipment, implants, plates, endoprostheses, and surgical instruments that are not funded by the government for military hospitals. Over the past 10 years, we have been working closely with healthcare institutions, purchasing equipment for hospitals, renovating stadiums for fitness programs, sponsoring awards for the National Medical Prize, and promoting professional development for healthcare professionals.

- Can you describe what your experience was like on February 24, 2022?

- On that day, we were actually renovating a site, and we went home at around 3 am. Little did we know that the war would begin at 5 am. During the initial days of the war, we focused on providing hospitals across Ukraine with essential drugs and surgical supplies. We also made efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the occupied territories. Like many Ukrainians, we did everything in our power to assist both the military and civilians affected by the conflict.

- How did you launch the SaveTheLimb initiative?

- Last April, we started by purchasing external fixation devices. In May, we sent the first batch of devices to hospitals in the combat zones. This marked the beginning of our program. We established an expert council comprising respected orthopedists, both Ukrainian and foreign physicians. We also began processing applications from individuals in need. Initially, our focus was primarily on surgeries, but we soon realized that rehabilitation was equally important. Consequently, we involved rehabilitation experts, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals. We are currently in the process of creating a list of experts who can contribute to our rehabilitation efforts. Our main objective is to reduce disability among Ukrainians. However, providing psychological support has been quite challenging, as it is an area that is not well-developed in Ukraine. Therefore, we rely on the assistance of communities and benefactors.

- What are the aims of your foundation, and what do you need in order to achieve them?

- Sustainability of our activities is of utmost importance to us. Unfortunately, the healthcare community has not given sufficient attention to the professional development of psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, and orthopedists. To address this issue, we have partnered with an educational medical platform to provide healthcare professionals with access to professional learning opportunities. Last year, we received certification from the Ministry of Public Health as the Testing Board for Professional Competence Assessment of Higher Education Trainees in Medicine and Pharmacy. We organize trainings, conferences, and actively promote the adoption of the best international practices.

Our foundation was honored to receive a 5-star ranking from the Association of Charities of Ukraine last year. Our goal is to become one of the top 50 charity foundations in Ukraine, and we have ambitious plans to achieve that. We raise funds both domestically and internationally. For example, we are currently in need of special orthopedic operating tables, which are not available in Ukraine. These tables start at a price of $135,000, and we require several of them. We are currently engaged in negotiations to optimize costs.

We are also actively engaging with Ukrainian manufacturers of medical devices, as we have identified some excellent producers here. However, when it comes to endoprostheses, we are cautious because they must meet stringent requirements for durability and exceptional quality.

Another challenge we face is a deficit in skills. We are in need of project managers, marketers, fundraisers, and account managers. Fortunately, our benefactors provide valuable expertise and assist us in recruiting talented individuals. While we may not be able to compete solely on salaries, we are taking steps to improve the situation. We understand that people need to earn a living first and foremost.

- How has MIM-Kyiv influenced your career? And do you believe that business education is essential during times of war?

- In my opinion, business education is just as crucial during times of war as it is during times of peace. Education helps to organize knowledge and offers different perspectives on various issues. Furthermore, community plays a vital role because it is the business sector that will lead the country's restoration efforts after the war. I am deeply grateful to MIM-Kyiv for providing me with the energy and knowledge that have propelled my career forward.