Local foods, food-safety habits, hospital daily life, travel during treatment, the health system, language and emergency numbers from reliable sources.
Keep a translation of your diagnosis, treatment plan and medication list in this language or in English. Many hospitals offer interpreters — ask in advance.
Health system overview
There are public and private facilities. Because of the war, it cannot be confirmed that every provider is operating — check your place of treatment in advance. In an emergency you are usually taken to a state hospital.
Leukemia care: centres
Ukraine
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Main centres
Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital, Kyiv
National Cancer Institute, Kyiv
Institute of Blood Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Lviv
Transplant: According to the Ukrainian Center for Transplant Coordination, all types of bone marrow transplant are performed in Ukraine; about ten centres, including these three, have contracts with the National Health Service of Ukraine.
Good to know: Under the state Programme of Medical Guarantees, the work-up, the transplant itself and follow-up care are free for the patient with an electronic referral; HLA typing is also free.
Wherever you live, the core rules with low immunity are the same: clean hands, keeping raw and cooked food apart, cooking thoroughly, chilling quickly and choosing pasteurised dairy. At local markets and street stalls, watch how food is stored. Ask your team whether tap water is fine for you; if unsure, use bottled or boiled water.
Hospital daily life
In many hospitals in this region a family member stays with the patient to help with daily care, and families often bring food from home. With low immunity, agree with the ward which food can be brought and how it should be prepared and stored. Fewer visitors, and none who are unwell, lowers the risk of infection.
Travel during treatment
Talk to your care team before planning a trip — timing, blood counts and vaccines.
Carry a doctor’s letter with your diagnosis, treatment plan and medication list (including in English).
Pack medicines in original packaging, in hand luggage, with extra; some medicines have import rules.
Get travel insurance that covers your existing condition and read the terms.
Find the nearest haematology centre and the emergency number at your destination in advance.
Live vaccines can be unsafe during treatment — ask your team before any vaccination.
Ask your team about clot risk on long flights and move around when you can.