Grodno healthcare union supports staff with storm-damaged housing

Trade union organizations in Grodno Oblast continue to provide prompt support to healthcare workers whose property was damaged by recent severe weather and emergencies. The Grodno Oblast Organization of the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers told BelTA how the social protection system and the principle of solidarity work in practice.

Over the first weekend of August, the regional capital faced a severe test, as torrential rain flooded streets, private homes, and apartment buildings.

The severe storm directly hit the home of a nurse from the regional infectious diseases hospital. Emergency workers had to pump water from the yard for four hours. However, the weather had already caused severe damage to the house, with the water level inside the rooms reaching 20 cm. The healthcare worker’s family now faces extensive restoration work, and temporary relocation options are being considered.

In this difficult situation, the woman was not left to face the disaster alone – her colleagues stepped in to help. The hospital’s primary trade union branch held an emergency meeting and allocated financial aid to the victim (the branch’s regulations provide for payouts in the event of flooding or fire). In addition, a petition was submitted to the regional organization of the sectoral trade union for extra funds. The employer will not stand aside either.

“When we found out that the water in her house was ankle-deep, my heart sank. In our hospital, we help others every day, but now one of our own needed a shoulder to lean on. We don't leave our own behind – that’s not even up for debate. There are no indifferent people in our team, so we have additionally organized a voluntary fundraiser among colleagues,” chairwoman of the regional infectious diseases hospital’s trade union committee Yelena Klyuchnik said.

This is not the only example of effective support for healthcare workers in the region. Shortly before this, the trade union helped the family of a young doctor cope with the aftermath of a fire. The blaze caused serious damage to outbuildings and personal property on the private estate. For the specialist’s family, who are raising young children, this was a severe financial and psychological ordeal. The relay of solidarity was then taken up at all levels. Material assistance was allocated by the primary branch, while financial support was provided by the employer and the regional organization of the healthcare workers’ union.

As the regional committee emphasized, leaving a person alone with such a misfortune is unacceptable. “A fire or the aftermath of a natural disaster is always terrifying. The trade union is obliged to step in quickly and help. It is vital that everyday problems do not weigh heavily on a doctor when they are fulfilling their primary mission – working with patients,” the regional committee concluded.

The Grodno Oblast organization of the sectoral trade union recalled that the system of financial support for healthcare workers covers a wide range of life situations. In addition to disaster relief, trade unions support medical workers in cases of serious medical diagnoses or disability, and help subsidize vouchers to health resorts and children’s health camps.