The first time Artem (name changed) tried to get to his sister in Germany with his sick parents back in March. The road from Kyiv was difficult – first by train to Kovel, standing, then by bus to the border with Poland. His parents, who are already over 70 years old, were released, but he, a disabled person of the 3rd group, was not. He was told to go to the Military Commissariat and resolve all issues there.
The return home took a long time: at first, Artem spent two months with relatives in Lviv. Having been on substitution therapy since 2018, he used the leftovers he had, and then arranged with a friend who delivered buprenorphine by delivery service from the capital (rumors spread that there was not enough therapy in Lviv). Artem returned to Kyiv in May. He was given medication for one month, then another. Finally, in July, the issue with documents for departure was also resolved, the man ended up in Germany. He admits that after his arrival he planned to gradually leave therapy, attend courses, and adapt on his own. He started taking two pills at a time, then one at a time… But he didn’t expect that he wouldn’t be able to, and there was critically little medicine left. The condition was extremely difficult, it was necessary to urgently look for a place to receive therapy in a new country. “The next few days were a nightmare, I googled for help. So, I found to the HelpNow site. I contacted the service, you quickly gave me the contacts of the German hotline,” says Artem. “Many thanks to their manager Roman – he sent me all contacts, told when it is better to go to the clinic. Of course, it is better to do all this not when the medicine has already run out, but at least a week before. I lost that moment and regretted it very much.”
Artem had all the documents (residence permit, medical insurance). Together with his sister, they came to a medical center, where he was asked to make all the tests. Artem did not expect that the therapy would be issued on the same day and was very surprised when he was asked to go to the pharmacy after the appointment to get medication.
“They issue everything for free. The attitude is good, everything is ok for me – I was really very impressed. Yes, there are certain obstacles, such as the language barrier, but this is secondary. Your service is very helpful, such a support. You immediately understand that you will not be left behind. Thank you!”
