The war is making adjustments to the reform of the TB control system and affecting the continuity and quality of services provided by NGOs. Despite the difficult situation in the Kherson region, the possibility of providing medical services to people with TB has not disappeared. The Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust” plays an important role in this process.

According to 2023 data, the incidence of active TB, including relapses, in the Kherson region among the population of the deoccupied territory was 90.4 cases per 100,000 population, with an average rate in Ukraine of 48.4 cases. The overall increase across the country was 7.3%.

Since the beginning of the occupation, due to the lack of communication, logistics, food, and medical supplies, the organization has faced challenges in providing TB care. However, thanks to the persistent and courageous work of the employees of the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation” Mangust”, support continued. The foundation provided consultations, conducted HIV and hepatitis testing, TB screening, and provided humanitarian aid. In addition, the Point of Resilience was in operation.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust” has joined forces with other NGOs and medical institutions in the region to support people with TB. The only phthisiopulmonological center in the region did not stop working for a single day—all laboratories, the hospital, and the polyclinic continued to operate. Due to the lack of public transport, medical workers were transported by vehicles of the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust”.

“To deliver anti-TB and antiretroviral drugs to the districts, we had to pass through many Russian checkpoints, sometimes up to 25 stops with searches. There was a case when I was stopped and two boxes of ART therapy were found in the car. The Russian military mistook them for expensive vitamins. Only after lengthy explanations about the importance of these drugs for people and comparisons with chemotherapy did they review the information on the Internet and return the drugs to me,” said Yevheniia Lysak, head of the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust”.

Since May 2022, the Russian authorities have allowed people to travel in their own vehicles. People in serious condition were transported by medical vehicles with the support of the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust”. To ensure safety, the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust” team responds quickly to circumstances, including enemy shelling, and coordinates changes in the locations where services are provided.

Despite the war conditions, the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Mangust” sets an example of unwavering work to support people with TB. Thanks to the courage and compassion of its employees and doctors, people undergoing TB treatment can receive the necessary medical and material assistance.