Hospitals in Kyiv region rely on diesel generators as blackouts persist
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Summary
A field report shows hospitals near Kyiv continuing operations on diesel generators amid repeated strikes on energy infrastructure; technicians ferry fuel and hospital directors estimate more than $1,000 per day in fuel and maintenance costs, with local councils providing assistance.
A field report aired on the program showed hospitals in Irpin and nearby towns functioning on diesel generators after repeated strikes damaged energy infrastructure.
Correspondent Борис Сочалко described technicians fuelling generators from barrels and a hospital technician identified as Stanislav demonstrating how he measures fuel levels and refills pumps. The report said some hospitals can be without grid electricity 10–15 hours a day, and that automation switches generators on when power cuts occur.
Hospital staff and administrators described building redundancy in generators and rising operational costs. The hospital director cited an estimate of "больше тысячи долларов в день" for fuel and maintenance during prolonged outages and said that the city council helps cover the costs.
The report noted that medical teams — radiologists, surgeons and nurses — continued to receive and treat patients during outages because technicians rapidly restored generator power; one transplant candidate was referenced as receiving care despite the cold and challenging conditions.
Technical details in the report traced an evolution of hospital backup capacity from small emergency units to main working generators rated at roughly 100–570 kW, reflecting a deliberate push to increase energy independence for health facilities as strikes continue.
What happens next: correspondents said repair crews are working around the clock and international organizations and local authorities are contributing fuel and assistance, but hospitals warned costs and logistical strain will continue while outages persist.
