We are already used to the fact that the stories of people who turn to the HelpNow service are always filled with care and concern from the parties receiving them. Unfortunately, it happens that not everything goes as it should, and there is probably just no place for compassion and understanding in the hearts of individual people. However, we share this story with you, because every conversation is a reality that is happening here and now.
Meet Valeriya (name changed). She is a refugee from the Zaporizhia region, since March 17 she lives in Poland, not far from Szczecin. The woman already works, has health insurance, is completely self-sufficient – she says that she has been used to being independent since she was a child. She has been receiving ART therapy at home since 2010. When her doctor heard that Valeriya was going to leave, she immediately prescribed therapy for six months. “It is a great happiness that she managed to distribute the medicine to her patients. Now our home is an occupied territory, and it is very difficult to say how it could turn out in the other case.”
When the ART began to end, the woman started looking for opportunities to register abroad and receive official treatment. While browsing sites on the Internet, she came across an advertisement for the HelpNow service – she quickly left a request in Telegram and within a few hours Valeriya had the address of the nearest medical facility. It seemed that everything was fine – woman got ready for the appointment, arrived at the hospital early. But when it was her turn and she asked to issue a medical card, instead of a greeting, she heard from the receptionist: “What, did you find out yesterday that your therapy is ending?” The woman was unpleasantly impressed. “I was confused, I didn’t even understand right away, I started to make excuses – I said that I knew before, but I didn’t expect that I would be forced to live in another country for so long, because I had already planned to go home a long time ago.”
She was scheduled for an appointment two days later. According to Valeriya, the doctor was extremely attentive, made a detailed examination, prescribed research, prescribed ART for the next three months and asked her to go to the registry office again for a referral. The same woman was there. “As soon as I approached, I heard “Again” in my direction. It was humiliating, but I remained silent. But when I said that the doctor asked to give me a referral, her reaction was: “Everyone is here.” It was terrible, I cried all day at home. Thank you for your support and sympathy, I have decided for myself that I will not be silent anymore. I will have another appointment in February and will definitely inform my doctor and the management about it.”
For our part, we advise everyone not to be afraid, but to share information with us, contact the administration of the medical institution, demand a meeting with the chief doctor and defend your rights. No one has the right to discriminate against another. Remember this!