Rx: Medicine Near the Frontlines

A spinal injury shaped the curvature of her life.

Oksana* suffered an accident at age 8 that still requires regular visits from medical professionals even today.

Now at 66 years old, the visits have grown more difficult. Her village in eastern Ukraine is seven miles from the nearest hospital, has no pharmacy, and offers only infrequent public transportation to these critical services. When war broke out more than four years ago, it made care even more difficult to find.

But then her neighbours told her that a Samaritan’s Purse mobile medical unit was coming to their community.

“I was immediately invited to see a family doctor,” Oksana said of her first visit to the mobile medical unit. “They checked my blood pressure, ran tests, listened carefully to me, prescribed treatment, and provided the necessary medicines.”

Over the coming months, Oksana saw our doctors, nurses, and chaplain nine times, and her condition significantly improved. The free medications allow her to allocate her approx. £41 (equivalent ) pension to utilities and food instead.

Medical and Spiritual Care Amid War

She shared with clinic staff how 58 years ago she fell out of a cherry tree, injuring her spine and temporarily losing her ability to speak. But praise God, this skill returned as she grew to adulthood. She moved two hours to the east, married, and had two daughters, only to be left to raise them on her own after her husband fell into alcoholism.

But 11 years ago, her spinal injury triggered another episode that again left her unable to speak. During the next decade, sounds and words gradually returned to her tongue, but it became physically difficult for her to carry out her daily tasks. Regular visits from speech and trauma specialists helped, but with the national conflict and financial duress, these visits had to be discontinued.

“Where hospitals are damaged, access is limited, and fear is constant. The mobile medical unit operated by Samaritan’s Purse has become more than a clinic. It becomes a critical bridge to care,” said Andrew Sims, a programme development officer in Ukraine. “By bringing treatment directly to those impacted by the war in Ukraine, this effort restores not only physical health, but a sense of safety, compassion, and an inroad for the Gospel in the midst of crisis.”

One of God’s Miracles

These days, Oksana has hope.

“Before, I tried to endure my illness because travelling to the city was difficult. Now I can rely on constant help, thanks to God,” said Oksana, alluding to her Christian faith of many years.

Just last year as the conflict continued, Oksana was baptised, sealing her commitment to Jesus Christ. She has also shared her trust in Him with the future generations in her family, including her daughters, son-in-law, and grandson who are all now attending church and reading the Bible.

For Oksana, the visits to the mobile medical unit provided much more than physical treatment. The prayers of the chaplain and the sincerity of the doctors spoke volumes as they were willing to make the journey to her village amid difficult conditions.

“I see this as one of God’s miracles in my life,” she said. “My children say they can see how much better I feel.”

Since 2024, over 6,000 patients have received outpatient consultations through our mobile medical units in Ukraine. Please pray that each person seen by the team would experience the answer to Oksana’s prayers: “I pray that, through Samaritan’s Purse, people will feel God’s love and care, especially those who do not yet believe in Jesus Christ.”

*Name changed for security

Responding to the Crisis in Ukraine

Samaritan's Purse is providing food, clean water, and items such as solar lights and agricultural supplies to suffering families in Ukraine. We are also providing medical care to those in need. Partnering with local churches and others, we work in Jesus' Name to bring this urgently needed relief to people in areas of conflict.