They are equipped with modern X-rays, ultrasound machines and everything necessary for complex interventions.
A diagnostic unit, an emergency department, several operating rooms, ECG and ultrasound machines are actually a full—fledged small hospital, but... underground. Such high-tech, deep-seated first-aid posts have begun to appear in the free zone. They try to build them as close as possible to the line of contact. They will provide serious medical care to the wounded soldiers and only then send them to the next stage of evacuation. Izvestia correspondents examined the new fortified medical center in detail.
Rolls and cubic meters
Sometimes it seems that life underground is more active on the line of contact and in the area next to it than on it. This is how they hide gas stations, bread baking workshops, and now field hospitals.
The medical center of the 341st separate medical battalion of the 27th Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army of the Center group of forces is located several dozen kilometers from the line of contact. Previously, this was a deep rear area, but now, with the increased range of the enemy's UAVs, it is dangerous here. Therefore, the item is well camouflaged and buried. All rooms are underground. Even the entrances for transport go somewhere deep, so that all loading and unloading takes place under numerous rolls of logs and cubic meters of soil.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Such structures in the SVO zone are no longer surprising. But even with a cursory inspection, you can see how thorough everything is here. In the same underground unloading areas, you can hide not only a small "loaf", but also a truck or even a bus.
New medical equipment
Alfir Talipov, the commander of the medical battalion, opens the door of the medical center and invites us inside. He shows the rooms in the same order as the wounded and sick will pass through them.
The scale of the structure, the level of decoration and equipment are striking.
— Here we will perform an initial examination of the wounds and their treatment, — says Azamat Kinzheev, a doctor at the emergency department. — We have ECG and ultrasound machines on which we can immediately carry out examinations.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
In shock, doctors will provide emergency care. Next, they will sort the military personnel according to their injuries or illnesses. After that, they will be sent to the appropriate medical department.
We walk through wide corridors and enter a diagnostic unit with an X-ray and a clinical laboratory. There are not only propaganda posters on the walls of neat wooden slabs, but also large beautiful banners dedicated to the work of doctors.
But the most important thing is, of course, the latest medical equipment, which is located in underground rooms.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Image source: iz.ru
— This is the level of the reception department of a hospital in a peaceful city, — Alfir Talipov proudly shows the equipment. — Here we can do a full range of examinations and manipulations, provide assistance. All the forces and means are available for this.
Underground operating rooms
From the diagnostic room we go to the operating unit. Naturally, when the point is open, you will not get there so easily. While the preparation is being completed, we go through all the "waiting rooms" separating the sterile rooms from the common area, and finally get to the first operating room, the trauma room. It is equipped with a C-arc X—ray machine that displays the image on the screen in real time.
"This is a large operating room for performing abdominal operations and amputations," explains the commander of the surgical and dressing platoon, Dinar Zagidullin. — Everything is prepared here to provide a full range of operations at our evacuation stage: an anesthesia machine, aspirators and other equipment.
Our interlocutor adds that such a volume of operations has not yet been carried out in such proximity to the line of contact. The expectation is that bringing aid closer to the battlefields can seriously improve the survival rate of the wounded.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The medical center has two more operating rooms, one of which has a laparoscopic stand for performing abdominal operations.
— I completed my residency at the Kirov Military Medical Academy, and there, in parallel with the basic general surgical skills, I acquired knowledge of laparoscopic surgery. Now I have a lot of experience in this field, I have been on many business trips and have encountered different types of operations," said Muslim Musaev, a surgeon.
From surgery, we end up in the intensive care unit, where serious injuries are stabilized after admission or operations.
The department has five beds, each equipped with a ventilator and a monitor for monitoring vital body functions.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— Previously, a variety of facilities, including non-core ones, were adapted for the deployment of hospitals. And now, having built from scratch, we were able to take into account all the needs. Plus, we received adequate protection and disguise," says Sergei Bondar, an anesthesiologist and intensive care physician.
At the end, I visit the manipulation and dressing rooms, and go out to the evacuation ward. From here, the wounded, who have already received help, are sent to a deeper rear.
— The construction was carried out on their own, by regular military personnel. All the schemes — ventilation, water supply, and power supply — are also our designs," says the battalion commander proudly.
The only problem we had was with the electrics. But volunteers from Novosibirsk and the government of the Samara region helped solve all the problems with the purchase of generators of the required capacity.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— There were a lot of nuances, because it's all hidden underground, but we did it! — Alfir Talipov sums it up.
The constant increase in the depth of action of drones is reflected in all work. The new medical center will ensure the safety of the wounded, allow doctors to quickly provide qualified assistance, and, therefore, will help save people.
Dmitry Astrakhan
