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Ukraine: Everything under one roof — a gynaecology department unique to the city opens in Mykolaiv

A fully renovated gynaecology department was officially opened at City Hospital No. 1 in Mykolaiv. With funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the hospital now features a modern facility that enables combined surgical procedures using technologies previously unavailable in the city.

Posted on 15 Jan 2026

The renovation of the gynaecology department was carried out by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) as part of a humanitarian assistance project. The works covered most of the fourth floor of the hospital’s therapeutic building, with a total area exceeding 500 square metres.

The official opening was attended by Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych, who emphasised the priority and critical importance of cooperation with international organisations in improving medical services in the city.

Previously, the gynaecology department had been in the hospital’s obstetrics wing — an old building that could not be adapted to meet modern accessibility standards. This significantly limited access to care for women with reduced mobility. Moreover, due to heavy shelling in the area, the department was forced to relocate urgently to Maternity Hospital No. 1.

“We have a strong team of highly specialised professionals with unique experience, and it was essential for us to retain them in the city. Locating the gynaecology department in the therapeutic building offers several key advantages. Firstly, it allows us to provide patients requiring combined interventions with modern treatment using technologies unique to Mykolaiv. Secondly, having two surgical departments at the same location enables more efficient use of the hospital’s human and technical resources,” stated Hospital Сhief Maria Grachova.

As part of the project, the DRC carried out a comprehensive renovation of a previously unused floor of the hospital, adapting it to house a gynaecology department. Careful planning and engineering solutions were implemented to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for both staff and patients. The floor was made fully barrier-free, and each ward was equipped with a dressing room and a shower.

A full range of finishing works was completed, modern ventilation and fire alarm systems were installed, and electrical networks and heating radiators were replaced. Medical oxygen supply systems were also installed throughout the department. The total cost of the project amounted to nearly 12 million UAH.

This project was a priority for DRC, as the development of medical infrastructure is critically important for a city living under the conditions of war. We understand how vital it is for patients in serious condition to have timely access to hospital care, so we did everything possible to ensure that women feel cared for and receive dignified treatment during their stay here.

/ Alexa Greenwald, Area Manager of the DRC South

©Mykolaiv City Council

Specialised gynaecology services and care for GBV survivors

The renovated department will be able to accept patients from Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts, as well as from elsewhere in Ukraine. Each year, up to 1,200 women receive treatment in this gynaecology department. Over 90% of patients undergo surgical procedures, while the remainder receive other types of therapy.

The hospital is also home to a laboratory centre exclusive in the city, comprising a bacteriological laboratory, a clinical laboratory and a biochemical PCR laboratory. This allows all necessary tests to be conducted on site, significantly reducing the time required for diagnosis and treatment.

A dedicated area of the department’s work focuses on providing high-quality medical care to women who have experienced gender-based violence, including sexual violence related to armed conflict. Timely medical assistance in such cases can be life-saving and is essential for preserving the reproductive health of GBV survivors.

Denmark remains steadfast in its support to Mykolaiv and its people. This project at City Hospital No. 1 is one of several ongoing Danish-funded projects aiming to modernise the healthcare infrastructure in Mykolaiv city and region. We are proud and happy to be able to make these contributions to the remarkable resilience of our partner region. We are grateful to the hospital’s management and to DRC for their strong work and cooperation.

/ Jakob Hansen, Head of the Danish Embassy Office in Mykolaiv

©Mykolaiv City Council

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