At Paris conference, Zelenska calls on participants to join restoration of Izium hospital
That’s according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
Zelenska noted that during the war, Ukrainians were able to become “bigger than Russian terror” in order to defend themselves.
As an example, she told the story of traumatologist Yuriy Kuznetsov from the Izyum hospital in Kharkiv region.
"On the night of March 6 this year, I went on a shift, which lasted until September, which lasted until Izium was liberated from the Russian occupation," Zelenska said, quoting the medic as saying.
According to her, during this time the hospital continued to work in the basement under constant shelling, while Kuznetsov and other medics lived in what was left of the hospital.
"During these months, Yuriy had to become a surgeon, and let me remind you, he is a traumatologist and even an obstetrician. In the basements of the hospital, he helped women give birth to nine babies. And the lives of hundreds of people were saved thanks to the fact that one person remained and was able to become bigger than he was before," the First Lady emphasized.
She emphasized that "this is just one example of one hospital and one doctor, who turned from an ordinary medic into a not-so-ordinary savior for hundreds of other people."
"Ukraine was able to resist and is defending itself thanks to many such people. And to people who have become bigger than they could imagine about themselves. This is the source of Ukrainian indomitability. These are our soldiers in the defense forces, our doctors and teachers, our energy workers who restore power after the Russian strikes, our entrepreneurs who were able to contrast the Russian darkness with the hum of working generators, and therefore – a thriving country," Zelenska said.
She emphasized that in almost 10 months of full-scale war, Ukraine has become bigger than it was previously seen and perceived.
"Millions are now thinking about how to do more to protect freedom and restore peace. I am among those people. As much as I can, I accumulate support for Ukraine, as much as I can, I call for action, as much as I can, I bring back to Ukraine what this war takes from us. I invite you to join these efforts," Zelenska said.
She addressed entrepreneurs, public figures, mayors of French cities, and representatives of other countries, noting that France is already among the leaders in the global protection of Ukraine, Europe, and freedom from Russian aggression.
"We will always be grateful for this. But now is the time when everyone can become bigger. I told you about the hospital in Izium, and this is my goal now – to help restore it," Zelenska said.
She informed the participants that it is a support hospital for several districts of the region, which served almost 150,000 people annually, and now it needs to be raised from the ruins.
"It is for such tasks that I created my foundation. The foundation, which, together with other charitable projects, helps the restoration of Ukraine. Our goal is to help life win. I have a clear mission for my visit to Paris – I am here in front of you because of Izium. Because of the Izium city hospital. I invite you to help this particular hospital. This is the main task of my foundation now. Become bigger than you have been up to this point. Join the general victory, join the reconstruction," Zelenska said, addressing the conference.
As reported earlier, in November, during the presentation of the Olena Zelenska Foundation in London, a charity fundraiser was launched for the restoration of the Central City Hospital in Izium.
