Thousands of blood bags and protective suits among Irish aid sent to Ukraine

Blood bags, protective suits, masks and disinfectants are among medical items provided by Ireland in response to requests for help from Ukraine.

The HSE and the Department of Health say they are planning further donations of medical supplies and equipment through a coordinated EU mechanism, in response to formal requests for assistance from Ukraine and neighbouring countries providing support to Ukrainian refugees.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has donated 4,000 blood bags, which were dispatched from a supplier's manufacturing plant in Poland this week.

A second donation coordinated by the HSE includes 10,000 bio protection suits, 50,000 medical protective masks and 2,583 litres of disinfectant. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage arranged the dispatch of these items from Ireland on Friday.

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The HSE is also channelling support through other routes including Medical Help Ukraine. This group of Ukrainian doctors in Ireland has partnered with Lifeline Ambulance Service to deliver supplies into Ukraine by air and overland.

Many of the items were donated by HSE staff, private health services and other suppliers.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said his department and the HSE would continue to work with other Government departments, across the EU and with the Ukrainian ambassador in Dublin "to ensure every health support we can provide is made available".

The Government has so far allocated €20 million in humanitarian funding to support people in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring countries.