Ukraine honors fallen medics for the first time today - July 10 declared official commemoration
Ukraine commemorates fallen medics today (photo: Getty Images)
The Ministry of Health announced that today, July 10, Ukraine is officially observing the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Medics for the first time.
Who initiated the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Medics?
"In their fight for human lives, nothing could stop them — but their hearts did. On July 10, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Medics for the first time," the Ministry emphasized.
This initiative was launched this year by the team behind the "Order of Saint Panteleimon" award. It aims to honor medical professionals who lost their lives during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It includes:
- medics at the front and near combat zones who risked their lives under fire to save Ukrainian soldiers;
- medics working in the rear during air raids, in dark operating rooms, and bomb shelters.
"They fought for Ukrainian lives day and night. Sadly, many of them didn't survive. There are hundreds of such medics," the Ministry added.
Where information about fallen medics is being collected
According to the Order of Saint Panteleimon, in the three years of war, Russia has killed at least 500 Ukrainian medics. These include:
- doctors;
- nurses;
- medical assistants;
- combat medics.
"They became targets on the battlefield, in stabilization points, in operating rooms and clinics, on the streets, at home, and on their way to work," the Ministry reported.
To preserve the memory of each one, the Order of Saint Panteleimon is running the "Light of Remembrance" project.
With the involvement of the National Scientific Medical Library of Ukraine and regional partners, the project collects information about fallen medics.
If you know of a medical worker who died in the line of duty, whether in a civilian or military hospital, at the front or in the rear, you are encouraged to send information to: medlib@library.gov.ua.
Be sure to include in the subject line: "Посвіт пам'яті" (Light of Remembrance), the Ministry noted.
How fallen medics are being honored today
According to the Ministry of Health, as part of the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Medics on July 10:
- At 2:00 PM, a symbolic sound (the sound of a heartbeat stopping) will be broadcast in all hospitals and medical institutions across Ukraine.
- This will be followed by a nationwide moment of silence.
"Let us remember. Let us thank them. Let us honor them. Eternal and bright memory to the fallen medical professionals," the Ministry concluded.
Post by the Ministry of Health (screenshot: facebook.com/moz.ukr)
Earlier, we reported that Peter Fouche, a well-known volunteer and combat medic from the UK, died on the front lines while helping Ukraine resist Russian aggression.
