On Wednesday, May 21, the Consultative-Diagnostic Polyclinic of the National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Ohmatdyt” was crowded. One of the departments, namely the 2nd pediatric department located on the 5th floor of the capital’s medical facility at Stryitenska St., 7-9, was renovated at the expense of the Surkis Brothers Foundation and FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv).
Photo: fcdynamo.comProject for the restoration of part of the “Ohmatdyt” polyclinic
After a hostile missile hit one of the buildings of “Ohmatdyt”, thousands of Ukrainians joined the fundraising for the restoration of the damaged department. During the evacuation of patients and staff, everyone was temporarily housed in another department - the 2nd pediatric one, which was in critical technical and sanitary condition.
The administration of “Ohmatdyt” reached out to FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv) with a request not to duplicate the efforts of the general fundraising, but to help where the situation was the most critical and required urgent intervention.
The club responded immediately, deciding not just to provide formal support, but to actually make an impact - to create modern conditions for the treatment of children already located here. Thus, a complete renovation of part of the consultative-diagnostic polyclinic, where evacuated patients were temporarily housed, was initiated.
What exactly was updated
As part of the large-scale renovation project, a comprehensive update of part of the polyclinic was implemented, which includes:
• parts of the 1st and 2nd pediatric departments,
• offices for patients with epidermolysis bullosa,
• part of the Center for Rare Diseases.
• A total of 13 specialized offices were modernized, including:
• 2 offices for dermatovenerology
• 3 offices for pediatric allergology
• offices for pediatric nephrology and pulmonology
• offices for dermatoscopy and allergy testing
• 2 offices for epidermolysis bullosa
• 2 offices for the Center for Rare Diseases
At the solemn opening of the department, esteemed guests attended - UEFA honorary member Hryhoriy Surkis, president of FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv) Ihor Surkis, and the team’s head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi. The administration of the polyclinic and the doctors of the department conducted a small tour of the offices for them, which will be ready to receive patients from tomorrow - both children and adults.
Hryhoriy SURKIS, UEFA honorary member:
— It so happened that when we started collecting funds for the restoration of the damaged building of “Ohmatdyt,” the administration of the medical facility approached us to join in the restoration of this very department of the polyclinic. We signed a Memorandum, and this actually turned out to be two in one. In reality, it is very easy to take and transfer money, waiting for someone to build something. Now we see the work that has been done at “Ohmatdyt” over the past nine months. In my opinion, this is not really a thank you for us, but care, responsibility, and solidarity with those children who need quality treatment today. And not to wait nine months while a project is being prepared and then another few years until this building is rebuilt. Those people to whom we entrusted the funds and the project, which was approved by the administration, did everything in their power so that today we could cut the ribbon. This is the answer to all the “why?” questions — because, in my opinion, everything should be taken into one’s own hands and done with one’s own funds together with builders for that work that resonated with the doctors. And everything that the administration tells us to finish by today, we will definitely do.
As part of the support provided to “Ohmatdyt” after the missile strike, the administration of the Cancer Institute also approached us, which received small boys and girls from the damaged building. They requested to repair the reception department, which we completed in a short time. Today, there is wonderful renovation there, and this gives us a reason to be proud of being involved. Not so much to be proud as to be happy that these children can receive quality treatment in normal facilities today.
Also, the Surkis Brothers Foundation together with FC actually built a new outpatient clinic in Hurivshchyna in the Bucha district. This is the first outpatient clinic equipped with modern equipment. So we, together with the club, with our guys are doing this at our own expense, no one is forcing us to do this. We just want this war to finally end, and we live in a happy country, rebuild it together, and our boys from “Dynamo” would give new emotions to the fans, and this would be a breath of fresh air even now, during this terrible war.
Oleksandr SHOVKOVSKYI, head coach of “Dynamo”:
— Everything that is happening in our country has a significant impact on our feelings, on emotions. And every time we see the consequences of the actions of the aggressor against our country, it causes wild outrage about this situation. Everyone has individual negative emotions about this because they do not only come from Kyiv but represent different regions of our country. There are victims here and there, in that city, and in that district...
I know that assistance does not end, but it is targeted. As, for example, what our administration is doing and has already done here, undoubtedly. Although this is only one of those projects for which the Surkis brothers and their foundation took responsibility. And they, as Hryhoriy Mykhailovych said, take responsibility themselves and do this. We could go different ways, but that would be wrong. We cannot consume happiness if we do not reproduce it. And such an initiative should be an example for all.
And the boys, undoubtedly, going onto the football field, want to give emotions to the fans, our people, which is currently lacking in our country. And any initiative should carry a positive example for all — I completely agree with Hryhoriy Mykhailovych on this. The boys also gladly make their donations so that at every moment, stage, direction we do something to improve people’s lives.
Oleksandr URIN, head of the reorganization commission of the NDSCL “Ohmatdyt”:
— The first thing I want to say is that for almost 30 years since our polyclinic was attached to “Ohmatdyt,” no repairs have taken place here. Now, one of the stages of restoration is ongoing, and thanks to the Surkis Brothers Foundation, renovation works have been completed in an area of approximately 500 square meters, which includes 13-15 hospital offices and the finishing of corridors, sanitary facilities, etc. This is the facility where children with rare diseases will be received, as well as offices for epidermolysis bullosa, and dermatologists can now provide all necessary help in comfortable conditions.
Honestly, we do not count how many patients we can accept daily. But you can be sure that we will accept everyone who needs it. For example, those very offices for epidermolysis bullosa will be among the few in all of Ukraine, so we will accept both children and adults who have similar problems. Also, our center for rare diseases is a reference center, so all the most difficult patients will come to us. Thanks to the help of the Surkis Brothers Foundation, we can now do this in comfortable conditions.
We hope that our continued cooperation will continue. You understand, the memorandum is not just some signed contract, but an agreement on cooperation in the future. We need to report back to the Foundation on how these facilities are utilized and how quality assistance is provided here. We are already discussing specific nuances - likewise, we will restore our polyclinic in full. We still have a lot to improve (smiles).
And the most important thing to note. This is not just the renovation of one of the medical departments or charity. This is a manifestation of solidarity, responsibility, and care for those who need help today. Every day, children with complex and rare diseases are treated here. FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv) and the Surkis Brothers Foundation are proud to have created worthy, safe, and functional conditions that meet the level of “Ohmatdyt”.
