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“In Ukraine, I meet people every time for whom your support means the world. But the truth is also this: the need for medical treatment is far greater than the resources we have available. As a result, we can’t yet help everyone. Liudmyla told me what that meant for her and her husband.”

Markus Bremers
Spokesperson, action medeor

Enough for one, too little for two

Both Liudmyla and Mykola had heart disease and needed the same medication. Mykola received it free of charge, but there wasn’t enough left for Liudmyla. So the couple shared the dose, hoping it would be enough for both. But Mykola’s condition deteriorated. When he was admitted to intensive care, it was already too late: he died of heart failure.

From their shared apartment in Odesa, Liudmyla regularly walked to the social pharmacy run by our partner Your City to pick up the heart medication. Mykola had a walking disability, so she gladly took on the task. They were grateful that at least Mykola received the medication free of charge – capsules containing 150 mg of Dabigatran.

“We shared the joy of this medicine,” said Liudmyla

A monthly dose costs €31 – and together they lived on a pension of just €126. That’s barely enough for rent and food. Without the social pharmacy, the medication would have been unaffordable.

But donations are still not enough to help everyone – a dilemma that forces the staff at the social pharmacy to make extremely difficult decisions every day.

As Mykola’s condition worsened, Liudmyla never left his side. Even when neighbors fled to shelters during air raid sirens, she stayed by his bedside. “I could never have left him alone. We had been together for 54 years,” she said, tears in her eyes. Until the day he died in intensive care.

The pain is still deep. Liudmyla now receives psychological support from our partner Your City. And she continues to receive Mykola’s heart medication.

“Liudmyla is a strong woman. She wants us to tell her husband’s story. Because maybe it will help someone else in a similar situation. Just one euro a day can make that possible.”

Markus Bremers

Your donation makes a difference!

No one should have to die just because a medication is missing. That’s what drives us. Your donation can make a decisive difference for someone in need.

• €10 can buy antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.
• €31 covers a monthly supply of the heart medication Liudmyla needs.
• €100 can provide psychological support for someone traumatized by war.