Desperation and garbage container. The protest in Żytomierz stopped the hospital reorganization
Protesters say that changes in the hospital structure result not from medical needs, but from internal high -level personal conflicts. The tensions between Serhijem Demus and the medical director of the institution, Volodymyr Kowalczuk, were to lead to an attempt to liquidate the neurological department, which many read as part of the personal game.
“If this happens, I will give up,” said Kowalczuk, as Ukrainian media reported, indicating that he feels pressure from his superiors.
In defense of the ward, neurologists, nurses and patients decided to express their dissatisfaction in a way that was widely heard in local media. At one point, the demonstrators in the act of desperation threw the director into the container on waste.
Serhij Demus tried to present his position. He emphasized that the decision to reorganize was the result of internal consensus, and its purpose is to create a new palliative care department. – Work on the new branch is currently in the final phase. Only the issue of equipment remains, which will last at most six months – explained Demus.
Protest in front of the hospital. Demonstrators have won their goal
His arguments, however, did not convince the protesters. They strongly rejected the potential benefits of introducing changes, indicating that reorganization is a threat to an important segment of medical care in the region. Their determination was so strong that they announced further protests until the decision was withdrawn.
As reported by the “Suspilne” newspaper, demonstrators won their goal the same day. At 17.00 Serhij Demus buckled under pressure and withdrew the ordinance regarding changes in the structure of the neurological unit.
