Hospitals
A Russian fairy tale tells the story of a character called Doctor Ouch, Ouch. Although bizarre to our mind it can be said to accurately reflect our feelings when visiting many hospitals in Russia. Dedicated doctors work hard to help their patients in conditions that are far from ideal.  Buildings that are falling apart with missing and cracked tiles on the floor, broken windows, peeling plaster and paintwork, old uncomfortable beds with thin stained mattresses are just a few of the more evident problems facing the hospitals. Often there is insufficient modern medical equipment; one cottage hospital we visited had one stethoscope between four doctors. Ambulances are without basic equipment such as defibrillators and wards may have insufficient heart monitors or special units lack equipment for premature babies.  Love Russia supports children’s hospitals, gynaecological hospitals, a trauma department, cottage hospitals which support the orphanages and more. Some of the hospitals receive regular funding for drugs or specialist equipment and others benefit from fifty/fifty projects.