Ukraine asks PH to send mental health workers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday requested President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to send Filipino mental health workers to Ukraine to help ensure the welfare of their soldiers who are at the forefront of war in the country. 
 
In his meeting with Marcos at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs more mental health workers for their soldiers and defenders amid Ukraine's ongoing armed conflict with Russia.

“Thanks, you mentioned about humanitarian possibilities especially for medicine and, like I said to you, especially, psychological mental health and etc... So, you understand how many people need their help when they come back, they can’t lose in the families,” Zelenskyy said. 

“It’s difficult for them --- to study again,'' he added.

Marcos told Zelenskyy that the Philippines could offer them assistance by sending Filipino mental health workers for their soldiers.

“That is something that I think we are able to offer,” Marcos said, noting that the Philippines is well-known when it comes to the healthcare sector. 

“I am happy to do all that we can to make sure that we can help, especially the civilians and the innocents that are involved in the war. This is something that comes naturally to the Philippines so this will be something that we could pursue,” Marcos told his Ukrainian counterpart. 

The diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Ukraine span 32 years since it was formally established on April 7, 1992.

Zelenskyy, who arrived in the Philippines on Sunday night, has expressed gratitude to the Philippine government for its support for Ukraine's steps and measures in achieving peace.

The Philippines had expressed its support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, voting at the UN General Assembly to denounce Russia’s invasion, expressing “explicit condemnation” against “the use of force against the political independence and territorial integrity of any state." —KBK, GMA Integrated News