Refugee doctor who fled war in her homeland achieves her NHS dream

A Ukrainian refugee who fled to South Tyneside from the war in her homeland is set to achieve her dream of becoming an NHS doctor.

- by Tom Patterson

Hannah Tsaberiaba, 30, was living in Kyiv when the conflict in Ukraine escalated in 2022 and arrived in South Shields through the Homes for Ukraine scheme and was welcomed by her host family, Martyna and Alan Hogg.

A qualified ophthalmologist - eye specialist - in Ukraine, Hannah was determined to continue her medical career but her qualifications weren't recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) - meaning she couldn't work as a doctor.

With support from colleagues at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Hannah began attending ward rounds at South Tyneside District Hospital as a clinical observer.

She later secured a role as an ophthalmic imaging technician at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.