Report Ukraine sees widespread amputations due to Russia’s use of mines and artillery, comparable to World War I trenches.

Report Ukraine sees widespread amputations due to Russia's use of mines and artillery, comparable to World War I trenches.

The War in Ukraine: Rising Amputation Rates and the Cost of Rehabilitation

The number of people in Ukraine requiring amputations since Russia’s invasion has reached levels not seen since World War I, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The heavy use of missiles, artillery, and multi-layered mines by Russia along the 600-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine has led to a dramatic increase in serious injuries.

Before the war, Ukraine had several thousand amputations annually. However, since the start of the conflict 17 months ago, that figure has risen to around 50,000, according to estimates from the Kyiv-based Houp Foundation charity. The same charity also estimated that around 200,000 Ukrainians have been seriously injured during the war, with approximately 10% of those injuries resulting in an amputation.

It is important to note that these figures may be conservative, as many amputations are only recorded months after the procedure has taken place. The scale of the crisis is comparable to the number of amputations required during the four-year period of World War I, with around 41,000 Britons and 67,000 Germans requiring such surgeries.

The increase in amputations poses significant challenges in terms of rehabilitation. The cost of prosthetic limbs and the rehabilitation process can be staggering. For military personnel, the government provides $20,000 as compensation for amputations, but civilians often struggle to afford the necessary procedures. Many rely heavily on charities to help cover the costs and support their rehabilitation.

The demand for prosthetic limbs has surged, resulting in long waiting lists in many areas. The situation has created a critical need for greater assistance and resources to meet the growing demand. The impact of the war on the lives of Ukrainians goes beyond the physical trauma, reaching into the economic and social fabric of the country.

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Hans Georg Näder, the chairman of Ottobock, the world’s largest prosthetics manufacturer, empathizes with the situation in Ukraine. He revealed that his grandfather founded the company in 1919 to aid German soldiers returning from World War I who had lost their limbs or suffered vision loss due to artillery fire. Näder pointed out the similarity between the amputations seen in Ukraine and the injuries suffered by soldiers a century ago.

The alarming rise in amputations in Ukraine highlights the urgency for increased support and resources to help those affected by the war. Charities play a crucial role in bridging the gap and supporting civilians who cannot afford the cost of rehabilitation. It is essential to address the waiting lists and ensure accessibility to prosthetic limbs to improve the quality of life for amputees.

The war in Ukraine has left a lasting impact on the country, not only in terms of lives lost but also in the significant number of individuals facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives after amputations. As the conflict continues, it is imperative for the international community to rally together and provide the necessary assistance to alleviate the human suffering caused by this devastating war.

• News UK
• Russia
• Ukraine War