A memorandum was signed between a leading USA medical center and a medical institution in Ukraine as part of an international medical partnership

The Main Medical Clinical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in the USA signed a memorandum of international medical partnership. The preliminary agreements between the institutions were finalized during a working visit to the United States by a Ukrainian delegation led by Mykhailo Radutskyi, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance.

This is the first agreement concluded by a Ukrainian military medical institution with a hospital in a partner country as part of the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The visit also included consultations on the training of Ukrainian psychologists from the National Guard and National Police in the USA.

The Ryder Trauma Center in Miami is considered one of the best medical centers in the United States. The hospital’s doctors are the first to respond to emergencies, the rescue service refers patients here, and the hospital is home to a military training center for the US armed forces and partner countries. The medical facility uses state-of-the-art equipment, and leading methods of treating injuries and burns, and has a medical air evacuation system.

The experience of treating traumas and burns of the highest complexity in a trauma center is important for Ukrainian doctors. Today, as a result of the full-scale war, the number of patients with injuries of varying severity has increased significantly. Therefore, Ukrainian hospitals are interested in American treatment methods and are ready to share their unique experience in dealing with the challenges and consequences of war with their U.S. colleagues.

During the visit, an online meeting was held to discuss further cooperation between the institutions and sign a memorandum. The agreement was signed by Ivan Yavorskyi, head of the Main Medical Clinical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Hamilton Clark, senior vice president and chief executive officer of Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Enrique Ginsburg, chief surgeon of Jackson Southern Medical Center.

Another essential issue discussed was the training of Ukrainian military psychologists. At the online meeting, representatives of the MIA delegation spoke with representatives of American organizations.

In particular, a new department is being constructed at one of the hospitals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to receive and treat military personnel, including psychological rehabilitation for wounded defenders. The Ministry of Health is currently purchasing modern equipment and studying advanced treatment methods. Six psychologists have already been selected and are ready to go to an internship in the United States.

The Ministry of Health expresses gratitude to all of Ukraine’s partners and twin hospitals that continue to strengthen cooperation and exchange experience with Ukrainian medics in this difficult time. After all, such training and best practices will allow us to provide the most modern and effective assistance to those who need it.

For reference: the development of international medical partnership is an initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, launched during the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv on September 6, 2023. Today, thanks to the strengthening of international medical partnerships, Ukrainian medics can exchange experience with their foreign colleagues, and the medical sector is developing at all levels. In the future, the experience gained will be implemented in the best practices of providing medical care to Ukrainian patients. To date, 49 medical partnerships have been concluded between Ukrainian and foreign institutions.