The war in Ukraine is now in its third year, and often, soldiers on the confrontation line cannot find the medical treatment they need to stay in their country.
One organization helps bring the injured Ukrainian soldiers to the United States, especially Chicago.
Many soldiers continue to be treated for months, if not years, and UI Health at the University of Illinois Chicago – a hospital in a city with such large Ukrainian populations – has provided support when medicine abroad is not enough.
Dennys Slukhai is a soldier who turned into a patient that CBS News Chicago met in UI Health examination room. He lost his legs in a battle, and an explosion was torn through the colon.
“War surgeons in Ukraine, they did a great job in saving his life, in stability – but there was a large part of the missing intestine,” said Dr. Pierre Cristovoro Julianotti, the head of the General and automatic surgery at UI Health.
Julianotti explained how dangerous the explosion caused Slukhai injuries.
He said: “It was not just a bullet. It was an explosion, and you know that modern weapons are terrible, and they are very strong, so the middle part of the colon was missing.”
Slukhay's injuries were so severe that he could not receive treatment in his country of origin. So doctors in UI Health took work.
“Since I am Ukrainian, it is very sick that besides, as you know, I pray, I can actually put my hand and help those who need physically and mentally,” said Dr. Yivin Pavilco, a general surgeon at UI Health.
Slukhai is one of about 10 soldiers who have been brought to the United States from Ukraine by soldiers who have been reviving Ukraine since 2022. After nearly two years of treatment, he finally became about to install the artificial limbs – so that its options are open.
Speaking through a translator, Slukhai said he would do everything again to help his country. When the war began, he was already serving Ukraine as a police officer, so there was no doubt that he would be gathered in the army.
He was on a mission to save the wounded soldiers, when he said a Russian bomb that exploded on his team's way to the house.
“We ask Ukraine doctors to give us issues that need the most attention,” said Irina ISIO, head and founder of soldiers who were revived in Ukraine. “They have no time, and they have no medicine to help Ukraine and soldiers.”
Slukhai's soldiers have made the Slukhai transfer to the health interface for treatment. The organization's goal is to get the help they need for soldiers so that they can return.
In the Slukhai case, he wants to transfer his knowledge to the younger service members. And when there is peace, he dreams of using his second chance to become a dentist.
The soldiers who were revived built rehabilitation facilities in Ukraine, similar to the facilities in America. They are working with doctors all over the United States who will provide their experiences to help soldiers in some of the worst injuries.
