This is one in a sequence of stories related to a WHO consultation with Member States to highlight and understand the complex needs of people living with noncommunicable diseases in emergency situations when they are forced to leave their homes and the care they depend on.
Natalia, 69 years old, had lived in Podilsk, Ukraine for her whole life, where she earned a living making fur hats. Surrounded by her large family, she lived with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. Her cardiovascular health had not been good for a long time, and she took regular medication after suffering a heart attack.
When the bombing of her city began, the family attempted to remain, but the situation started to deteriorate. “The night we decided to leave we came under heavy bombardment. We had to leave in such a hurry that my daughter didn’t have time to dress the 4 children. We didn’t have time to collect our belongings. I brought some of my medication, but not all of it.”
It took the family over 12 hours to travel to Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, where Natalia’s granddaughter had rented an apartment. After a few weeks, Natalia, her daughter and grandchildren moved to the refugee centre where they are currently living. The family were granted temporary protection status, which gives them the same right to medical care as Moldovan citizens.
The stress of the journey, the situation in Ukraine, her continued concern for her family members and the difficulty of making a new life in a foreign country started to impact on Natalia’s health. Her blood pressure became dangerously high, reaching 220/160 by the time she arrived at the hospital.
“The doctors were very careful in their treatment and their attitude towards me. I was operated on immediately. I am so grateful that I received the same treatment as a Moldovan citizen. The doctors here saved my life.”
Natalia is only one of thousands of displaced people from Ukraine who are living with noncommunicable diseases and have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.