The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
A combat medic of the 43rd Mechanized Brigade with the call sign “O-la-la” terminated her employment contract in France and is now saving wounded soldiers.
The interview with the medic was published on January 4 on the brigade’s channel.
“This phrase ‘O-la-la’ means emotions that you feel at a certain moment. They can be both positive and negative. It stuck with me, but everyone distorted it. Some said ‘Olia Lia’, then ‘Ola Lia’, and some even called me ‘Doctor Olia’. But in my call sign, I actually hear the word ‘freedom’.
I lived abroad. On February 24, when the full-scale war began, I was actually in Italy. But at that time, I had no doubts about whether to return home.
I arrived at the beginning of the full-scale invasion as a volunteer, then returned to France again, volunteered there, and helped our servicemembers who were being treated in French hospitals.
I was their interpreter. I also helped our doctors find jobs. But on the other hand, I realized that our doctors from Kharkiv were leaving to work in France. Conditions and career prospects were being created for them there. But who would work here in Ukraine?
So I ended my contract at one of the hospitals in France. Not ended — I terminated it. There were five months left, and I could have renewed it afterward. But I terminated the contract, gave a month’s notice, and left for Ukraine.
I went to Sloviansk, where I volunteered and went on medevac missions with the 3rd Assault Brigade. Later, I joined the stabilization point of the 43rd Brigade, which I liked because there were very strong doctors and highly qualified care was provided.
When I was offered a position, I agreed. I wanted to join the military service myself. Because I had this vision: how can you understand where your people are if you are not with them?” — “O-la-la” said.
