Tallinn sends more ambulances, medical equipment to Ukraine

TALLINN – Tallinn has once again dispatched humanitarian aid to Ukraine, sending five fully-equipped ambulances and medical equipment from the Tallinn ambulance service.

"Ukraine has been suffering from the aggressor's attacks for ten years now. Week after week, we read news about civilians dying under missile strikes. Medical aid is crucial to help the population and show that we stand with Ukraine both in words and deeds," Tallinn Deputy Mayor Karl Sander Kase said.

"Fully equipped ambulances are essential in war zones because sudden attacks on civilians result in many casualties, and rapid transport from the scene to the hospital is the only lifesaving action. With today's shipment, we have managed to support Ukraine with a total of 11 fully equipped ambulances during this war. Although it's a small contribution considering Ukraine's size, these vehicles are undoubtedly beneficial from their first day of use," Raul Adlas, chief physician of the Tallinn ambulance service, said.

The shipment includes four Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 319 and one Volkswagen Crafter ambulance. One ambulance will be sent to the non-profit organization "City Emergency Medical Center" in Odessa, one to the military administration of the Kharkiv region, one to the military administration of the Dnipropetrovsk region, and two ambulances to the military administration of the Zhytomyr region.

The ambulances being donated were in active use by the Tallinn ambulance service until 2023. Their transfer does not affect the operations of the Tallinn ambulance service, as new ambulances were acquired last year to replace these retired vehicles.

In addition to the five ambulances, the Tallinn ambulance service is also sending medical equipment necessary for first aid, including electric aspirators, defibrillators, perfusors, that is devices for dosing and administering medication, and other tools, as well as scoop stretchers, carrying chairs, and vacuum mattresses.

The organization and dispatch of the aid package to Ukraine were handled by the Tallinn welfare and healthcare department, the Tallinn ambulance service, and the international cooperation bureau of the Tallinn Strategic Management Office.