Yugra Region (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug) in Russian Siberia is bigger than whole Spain – but only 1,6 million people lives there. It means 3 persons per square kilometer on the average basis. In winter air temperature goes below minus 45 degrees Celsius, and summer is only two month long. The population of dozens of small towns and villages has no access to polyclinics and hospitals here. There is also no usual roads and railways in the most territory of Yugra. The one and only connection to the “Big Land” left is the river Ob with its numerous tributaries. Every summer, when ice drift starts, medical ship “Nikolai Pirogov” begins his journey. She is the only ship of its kind in Russia. Thanks to “Pirogov” there are neurologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologist and other specialists, who can visit villages in Yugra back lands - also those which populated with Yugra Aboriginals Khanty and Mansi. During every navigation season the doctors on the board of “Nikolai Pirogov” examine more than 10000 patients in 46 towns and villages.
I spent four days on the board of “Nikolai Pirogov” and photographed the work and everyday life of doctors and crew.
