Local residents bring health services to Ukraine via Zoom

Thanks to an introduction by Menlo Park-based physician Paul Jemelian, we recently caught up with Stanford grad student — and Menlo resident — Pournima Narayanan. Both are involved with a two-year-old program call Telehelp Ukraine.

The organization  provides free quality medical and mental health support to Ukrainians affected by the war through telemedicine services from a global network of clinicians, interpreters, and volunteers with a focus on patient advocacy and care coordination.

“Via Zoom, we’ve had well over 2,500 video visits since the program began in 2022,” explains Pournima. “In addition, we help coordinate mobile clinics that go from village to village on the front lines and support on-the-ground providers.

“We are mostly a volunteer-run organization. Our goal is to continue to expand the number of patients we reach.”

Telehelp Ukraine services are free to patients.

“We welcome help in any way,” says Pournima. “People can give time or money. Volunteer as health navigators. Connect with patients and and physicians. More information is available on our website.

Photos show local residents who are involved with Telehelp Ukraine enjoying each other’s company on a Big Dish hike.