Scotland is sending critical medical supplies and equipment to help Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia.
Over 500,000 emergency items valued at about £2.9 million, including hypodermic needles and oxygen masks are being donated by NHS Scotland.
An initial donation will be flown from Stansted Airport in Essex to Poland tomorrow (Thursday) for onward transport to Ukraine and includes wound dressings and bandages. These supplies are urgently needed by the Ukrainian Government.
The medical aid is in addition to £4 million of humanitarian assistance for Ukraine announced by the Scottish Government on Monday, which will help provide basic support such as shelter, water and sanitation.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the NHS equipment storage facility in Motherwell to see the supplies being loaded. She said: “Scotland stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and we are ready to provide whatever support we can in their hour of need.
“The Ukrainian Government has requested critical medical assistance and I am proud of our NHS and all those who have worked tirelessly in recent days to make this initial consignment possible. We will deliver the rest of the supplies as quickly as we can.
“Scotland has strong links with Ukraine – Edinburgh is twinned with Kyiv and many Ukrainians have chosen our country as their home – and we will continue to provide practical help as it faces Russia’s unprovoked and illegal aggression.”
- Grampian Training Services are collecting medical First Aid supplies for delivery to Ukraine. If you have any First Aid kits, medical equipment, bandages, plasters, over-the-counter painkillers, etc, out of date or new, that you can offer, please deliver to Grampian Training Services at Loirston House, Altens, Aberdeen. AB12 3BH by 2pm on Thursday 3rd March. Tom Malcolm, the owner of Grampian Training Services can be contacted on 07971 962576 or at enquiries@grampiantrainingservices.co.uk for more information. Alternatively contact Iain Fullerton on 07479 393639.