Ivan Boyko12:43, 22.05.25

On Wednesday, May 21, the premises of the Consultative and Diagnostic Polyclinic of the National Social and Educational Service “Okhmatdyt” were crowded.

One of the departments, namely the 2nd pediatric department, located on the 5th floor of the capital’s medical institution at 7-9 Stritenska Street, was renovated with funds from the Surkis Brothers Foundation and FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv). 

Project to restore part of the “Okhmatdyt” polyclinic

After an enemy missile hit one of the buildings of “Okhmatdyt”, thousands of Ukrainians joined in raising funds to restore the destroyed department. At the time of evacuation, all patients and staff were temporarily placed in another department – the 2nd pediatric department, which was in critical technical and sanitary condition.

The administration of “Okhmatdyt” appealed to FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv) with a request not to duplicate the efforts of the general assembly, but to help where the situation was most acute and required urgent intervention.

The club responded immediately, deciding not to formally support, but to have a real impact – to create modern conditions for the treatment of children who were already here. Thus, a complete renovation of part of the consultative and diagnostic polyclinic, where evacuated patients were temporarily accommodated, was initiated.

What exactly was updated?

As part of a large-scale renovation project, a comprehensive renovation of part of the polyclinic was implemented, which includes:

• parts of the 1st and 2nd pediatric departments,
• offices for patients with epidermolysis bullosa,
• part of the Center for Orphan Diseases.
• A total of 13 specialized offices were modernized, including:
• 2 dermatovenereologist offices
• 3 pediatric allergist offices
• pediatric nephrologist and pulmonologist offices
• dermatoscopy and allergy testing rooms
• 2 epidermolysis bullosa rooms
• 2 offices of the Center for Orphan Diseases

The opening ceremony of the department was attended by distinguished guests – UEFA honorary member Hryhoriy Surkis, president of FC Dynamo (Kyiv) Ihor Surkis and head coach of the team Oleksandr Shovkovsky.

The management of the polyclinic and the doctors of the department gave them a short tour of the offices, which will be ready to receive patients – both children and adults – starting tomorrow.

Hryhoriy SURKIS, honorary member of UEFA:

– It so happened that when we started collecting funds to restore the damaged building of “Okhmatdyt”, the management of the medical institution turned to us to join the restoration of this particular department of the polyclinic. We signed a Memorandum, and it actually turned out to be two in one. In fact, it is very easy to take and transfer funds, waiting for someone to build something. Now we see the work that has been done in “Okhmatdyt” in nine months. In my opinion, this is not even gratitude to us, but care, responsibility and solidarity with those children who need quality treatment today. And not to wait nine months for the project to be drawn up, and then years more until this building is rebuilt. The same people to whom we entrusted the funds and the project, which was agreed upon with the management, did everything in their power so that we could cut the ribbon today. This is the answer to all the questions “why?” – because, in my opinion, we need to take everything into our own hands and, at our own expense, do the work that has been approved by the medical profession, together with the builders. And whatever the management tells us to do today, we will definitely do.

As part of the assistance provided to “Okhmatdyt” after the missile hit, we were also approached by the leadership of the Cancer Institute, which was receiving young boys and girls from the destroyed building. They asked us to repair the reception area, which we did in a short time. Today, there is a wonderful renovation, and this gives us reason to be proud that we are participating in this. Not even so much to be proud, but to be happy that these children can now receive quality treatment in normal institutions.

Also, the Surkis Brothers Foundation together with FC actually built a new outpatient clinic in the Huriv region in the Buchanan district. This is the first outpatient clinic equipped with modern equipment. That is, we, together with the club, with our guys, are doing this at our own expense, no one is forcing us to do this. We just want this war to finally end and we can live in a happy country, rebuild it together, and our guys from Dynamo would give new emotions to the fans, and it would be a breath of fresh air even now, during this terrible war.

Oleksandr SHOVKOVSKY, head coach of Dynamo:

– Everything that happens in our country leaves a big mark on feelings, on emotions. And every time we see the consequences of the aggressor’s actions against our country, it causes wild indignation about this situation. Everyone has individual negative emotions about this, because they are not only from Kyiv, but represent different regions of our country. There are victims here, there, in that city, and in that district…

I know that the help does not end, but it is spot-on. Like, for example, what our leadership is doing and has already done here, of course. Although this is just one of those projects for which the Surkis brothers and their foundation have taken responsibility. And they, as Grigoriy Mikhailovich said, take responsibility and do it. We could go different ways, but this is wrong. We cannot consume happiness if we do not reproduce it. And it is precisely such an initiative that should be an example for everyone.

And the guys, of course, when they go out on the football field, they want to give emotions to the fans, to our people, which is what is lacking in our country now. And any initiative should set a positive example for everyone – I completely agree with Grigory Mikhailovich. The guys also make their donations with great pleasure, so that at every moment, stage, direction we do something to improve people’s lives.

Oleksandr URIN, head of the reorganization commission of NDSL “Okhmatdyt”:

– The first thing I want to say is that in the almost 30 years that have passed since our polyclinic was attached to “Okhmatdyt”, no repairs have been made here. One of the stages of restoration is currently underway, and thanks to the Surkis Brothers Foundation, repairs have been carried out on an area of ​​approximately 500 square meters, which includes 13-15 hospital rooms and the decoration of corridors, bathrooms, etc. This is a room where children with orphan diseases will be admitted, as well as rooms for epidermolysis bullosa, and dermatologists can now provide all the necessary assistance in pleasant, comfortable conditions. An allergy center has also been created here, where children with various allergic diseases can go and receive quality help from specialists.

Honestly, we don’t count how many patients we can accept every day. But you can be sure that we will accept everyone who needs it. For example, the same epidermolysis bullosa rooms will be almost the only ones in Ukraine, so we will accept both children and adults who have similar problems. Also, our center for orphan diseases is a referral center, so all the most difficult patients will come to us. Thanks to the help of the Surkis Brothers Foundation, we can now do this in comfortable conditions. 

We hope that our further cooperation will continue. You understand, the memorandum is not some signed contract, but an agreement on cooperation in the future. We need to report to the Foundation how these premises are used and that really high-quality care is provided here. Now we are already discussing clear nuances  –  so we will restore our polyclinic as a whole. We still have a lot that needs improvement (smiles).

And the most important thing I want to note. This is not just a repair of one of the medical departments or charity. This is a manifestation of solidarity, responsibility and care for those who need help today. Children with complex and rare diseases are treated here every day. FC “Dynamo” (Kyiv) and the Surkis Brothers Foundation are proud to have created for them decent, safe and functional conditions that correspond to the level of “Okhmatdyt”.

(C)UNIAN 2025