Ukraine, Medical Assistance

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister outline any efforts to provide medical assistance to the Ukraine community?

The Hon. C.J. PICTON (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:46): I thank the member for Davenport for her question and for her interest in how we can support people in Ukraine. I am sure that all of parliament is united in our support for the Ukrainian people in terms of the outrageous invasion from the Russian Federation into Ukraine at the moment. This is something that the government is taking very seriously, and the Premier has certainly taken a personal interest in making sure that we have provided everything we can to provide this government's support.

Obviously, there has been a significant donation of at least $175,000 from the government, in terms of support for Ukraine. Also, last week we had a meeting with the Ukrainian ambassador, Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko, at cabinet. I understand this was the first time that he has presented to an Australian cabinet anywhere in the country. He certainly was able to give his insights and an update on the situation on the ground for the Ukrainian people.

From SA Health, we want to do everything we possibly can to help in the efforts as well, particularly when we have seen the horrors of thousands of people losing their lives, and also civilians who have suffered in many other ways, particularly physically, emotionally and psychologically, through the Russian invasion.

Some weeks ago, we received a request from the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, who reached out to SA Health seeking a donation of medical supplies to assist communities in Ukraine. This is an umbrella organisation that provides representation for the Ukrainian community here in Australia and South Australia. I am happy to report that the South Australian government has answered the call from the Ukrainian community and has provided substantial medical assistance.

The Malinauskas government have now provided over 20,000 items of medical equipment, with a value of over $78,000. We have provided those shipments to Ukraine, and contained in the shipments are items which can be used in their hospitals to support injured soldiers or civilians, including laryngeal masks for adults and children, first aid and wound dressings, pulse oximeters, emergency medical kits, nasogastric tubes, hypodermic syringes, and many more items.

The pallets were dispatched on 8 April. They were freighted to Melbourne and then loaded onto international freight the following week. I am delighted to report that we have now seen photographs confirming that those shipments have arrived in Ukraine and are now being used in the hospitals of Ukraine, with very delighted doctors, nurses and other clinical staff appreciative of the efforts. They will be distributed and used throughout Ukraine. We also received, through the SA Health Distribution Centre, a kind letter of thanks from the Federation of Ukranian Organisations, which I quote:

I am writing on behalf of the innocent people of Ukraine…Firstly, can I say how wonderful all of you have been. You have helped with the donations that we received from SA Health. You are the people, that facilitated us on behalf of the Minister of Health, the Premier and, the people of South Australia.

Everything we, the committee, asked, you have been able to provide answers and solutions, to each of our questions and requests.

I want to thank everybody in SA Health who contributed to this effort to put this package together. I thank the Premier for his support. Ultimately, I want to thank all those people who were able to put this package together, which we now know has arrived in Ukraine and will be providing support for the innocent people who are dealing with this and are, unfortunately, victims of this invasion at the moment.