Ray Hsu
Following the 2023 Ukraine Medical Mission, Dr. Jung Tsai, the team leader, and I discussed how NATMA could continue supporting Ukrainians suffering from the ongoing war. The guiding slogans of the 2023 mission—“Taiwan Can Help” and “Standing with Ukraine”—remained central to our vision.
We visited the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) in Whippany, New Jersey, where we viewed a documentary depicting Ukraine under Russian invasion. During this visit, we shared our experiences from the 2023 mission with UCCA members and discussed how Taiwanese physicians could prepare for resilience in the face of potential conflict with China. We also explored how NATMA could further assist Ukraine through a second mission. In addition, we invited UCCA representatives to attend a flag ceremony at TECO in New York.
On August 12, 2025, a successful ceremony was held for the NATMA Ukraine Medical Mission. Distinguished guests included Mr. Victor Rud and three delegates from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), as well as Ms. Alexandra Malikova and two delegates from Razom for Ukraine, Dr. Tony Lechich from ArchCare, and other distinguished attendees. Ellen Young, representing New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, presented a citation recognizing the efforts of the NATMA Ukraine Medical Mission.
Encouraged by this support, the NATMA Medical Mission team embarked on its second journey to Ukraine.
On August 24, 2025, the team departed in two groups. One group—Dr. Po-Fu Hsieh (Dentistry), John Mei (assistant), and myself—departed from New York. The second group—Dr. Jung Tsai (team leader), Dr. Sue Wu (ENT), Dr. Wen-Chieh Fain (Surgery), Dr. Chia-Wen Lee (Urology), Dr. Daniel Lu (Pediatrics), and Dr. Chien-Liang Liao (Family Practice), accompanied by his daughter Chien-Chen Liao (medical student)—departed from Taipei.
We reunited at Warsaw International Airport, where Ambassador Jeff Liu of the Taipei Representative Office in Poland welcomed the team with a banquet upon our arrival. NATMA collaborated with the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, whose members provided guidance on mission logistics. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Dr. Simon Lin’s advice from the 2023 mission—to “advance and retreat like soldiers”—remained relevant throughout our journey.
In the early morning of August 26, we boarded an overnight train from Warsaw to Kyiv, Ukraine. After a prolonged stop at the border, the journey lasted more than sixteen hours, and we arrived in Kyiv shortly after midnight.
Upon arrival, we divided into two teams. One team—Dr. Wu, Dr. Lee, Dr. Liao, Chien-Chen Liao, and I—traveled by van for approximately three hours to Korosten, a historic town where we operated a mobile clinic at Grace Church. The church’s social hall served as our clinical space. Despite the absence of advanced diagnostic equipment, we provided care using essential medications and portable ultrasound devices, treating both civilians and soldiers.
Although local clinic staff were dedicated and capable, they lacked sufficient medical supplies. Ukrainian senior medical students and residents assisted us with translation and patient communication. Following the mission in Korosten, we engaged in discussions regarding mobile clinic operations and the Ukrainian healthcare system, which still reflects aspects of the former Soviet model—patients typically retain their own medical records and present them during consultations. After three days, we returned to Kyiv to rejoin the rest of the team.
Life in Kyiv unfolded under constant threat. Nights were punctuated by bombings, drone activity, missile attacks, and the sound of air raid sirens. Despite these dangers, we were struck by the resilience of the people, who continued their daily lives with remarkable courage.
We delivered lectures to medical students at FRIDA (the Ukrainian-Israeli medical volunteer organization) and met with the Deputy Director of Public Health in Kyiv. This marked our first official engagement with Ukrainian government representatives since the 2023 mission.
We also operated a mobile clinic at New Life Church, a megachurch in Kyiv. The dental clinic was set up outside the church, utilizing a newly donated, fully equipped mobile dental unit from Germany. We treated hundreds of soldiers who had been unable to access dental care, many of whom had difficulty eating and maintaining adequate nutrition. Following treatment, these soldiers were better prepared to return to the battlefield.
Over the course of seven days, our surgical, medical, and dental teams treated more than 500 patients in Kyiv and Korosten. We delivered substantial quantities of medical, surgical, and dental supplies. The gratitude expressed by patients—many of whom had waited months or even years for care—was deeply moving.
At Independence Square in central Kyiv, we witnessed a powerful symbol of resilience. Amid memorials reflecting the toll of war, we found a photograph of Taiwanese volunteer fighter Jonathan Tseng, surrounded by flags from nations around the world. Standing before this tribute, we were reminded of the true cost of freedom.
On our final day, we attended an evangelical worship service at New Life Church, where hundreds of congregants gathered. We were invited to the stage to share our experiences. From our initial belief that “Taiwan Can Help” to the present mission, our purpose remained unchanged: to provide care where it is most needed. Our presence in Ukraine was not driven by fearlessness, but by a commitment to humanitarian service. Some team members had even prepared their wills prior to departure, underscoring the risks involved.
What we learned most profoundly from the Ukrainian people was resilience. Even as air raid sirens sounded and distant explosions shook the windows, life continued. More than four years into the conflict, while much of the world has grown weary and turned its attention elsewhere, Ukraine remains steadfast. Their resistance sustains the enduring hope for freedom and peace.
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