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A large exhibition and fair center on the outskirts of Bergamo, the Italian city most affected by the new coronavirus, is now an open-air hospital. Here, not pavilions, but 142 beds. 38 of them are busy.
There are even more Russians than in the “red” area of the hospital, where the most difficult patients are cared for. Moscow sent 32 military doctors and nurses and eight interpreters here under controversial circumstances.
It is difficult to get to this open-air hospital room: you need to wear two layers of protective gear. First: a white robe, and then a surgical suit, plastic sandals, gloves, special glasses, a mask.
Scanpix / Photo ITAR-TASS / Russian military doctors working in a field hospital in Bergamo
All of this, of course, is disinfected beforehand, although it’s still hard to be sure that the virus, which just escaped through Bergamo and the surrounding cities, took thousands of lives in a matter of weeks, 100% protection.
I’m not sure when to go back to Russia
The hospital employs volunteer doctors who had previously fought the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone and doctors from Pope John XXIII Hospital in Bergamo. But the Russians are immediately recognizable, mainly because they work in their white protective suits with blue stripes.
The Russian delegation also brought its own logo: two hearts. One of them is surrounded by the Russian flag, the other by Italy, and next to it is the inscription “With love from Russia”. In Russian, Italian and English.
Scanpix / Photo ITAR-TASS / Russian military doctors working in a field hospital in Bergamo
You cannot call Russia’s help to Italy at this difficult time, but there is noise. The La Stampa newspaper previously reported that the Kremlin was in fact conducting an intelligence mission, not a relief mission.
The same publication has reported that 80 percent. The measures presented by the Russians are not suitable for use, but this information has never been confirmed by any official.
Other observers are debating that Moscow is seeking a strong veto from Italy when the EU decides to lift sanctions on Russia. A public relations maneuver is also mentioned to show the supposedly poor functioning of the Community.
Russian doctors sent to Italy to talk about all this, of course, do not let it go and repeat that they came to do their direct job.
So far, we are doing our best. We are waiting for the epidemiological situation to stabilize.
“We do not want to participate in this political controversy. We are doctors doing their job. There is a tradition in Russia: if someone asks for help, we must help,” said Lt. Col. Alexander Jumanov, who heads the Russian team.
According to him, the Russians arrived fully ready to work “on the first day.” Guests brought in 52 lung ventilators, eight of whom used themselves, and the others donated to Italy, as well as plenty of protective suits, masks, and coronavirus testing.
Scanpix / Photo ITAR-TASS / Russian military doctors working in a field hospital in Bergamo
“Where did the tests end? We suggested they go to Bergamo, but we don’t know where they went, “Jumanov said.
When will the Russians return home? According to Alexander Volosatov, spokesman for the public relations department of the Russian Defense Ministry, which oversees doctors in Bergamo, the dates have not yet been set: We are waiting for the epidemiological situation to stabilize. “
Other EU countries have also helped
It is still unclear how the Russian helping hand was generally agreed upon. It is true that a politician from the pro-Russian far-right Lega party, led by Matteo Salvini, claims that it was he who accepted, with the help of another radical political force, the Alternative to Germany.
However, Yumanov diplomatically says that Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reached an agreement: “Relations with Italy have always been good.”
Reuters / Scanpix photo / Giuseppe Conte and Vladimir Putin in Moscow
Oliviero Valoti, health director of the temporary field hospital in Bergamo, admits that there was initially concern about the arrival of Russian doctors, but only because of possible technical problems.
“We were afraid of the language barrier and cultural differences. But I have to say that they work very efficiently. They have adapted to our work with patients, “said O. Valoti.
This anesthesiologist even praises the equipment donated by Russia: “There are no such respirators in the West. We appreciate and use them, the highest quality. They are very useful in intensive care. “
Germany and other EU countries have donated many lung ventilators and protective equipment to Italy.
Mauro Poleni, 27, infected with the coronavirus, was hospitalized on April 11. He admits that it was strange at first, but the young man communicates with the Russians without any problem with the help of translators.
Guido Marinoni, president of the Bergamo Medical Association, compares aid from the EU and Russia.
Scanpix / Photo ITAR-TASS / Russian military doctors working in a field hospital in Bergamo
“Russian doctors work at this field hospital. Doctors from Albania, Cuba and China also came. The Germans did not arrive, the French and the Americans did not arrive. It makes you think. After all, the coronavirus is present in both China and in Russia, “explained G. Maronioni.
In fact, the German army transferred 44 critically ill patients from Bergamo to hospitals in Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, although after the Russians arrived in Italy.
Furthermore, Germany and other EU countries have donated many lung ventilators and protective equipment to Italy.
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