Despite the war we continue to work on improving medical care in case of cardiovascular diseases - Viktor Liashko

The IX Amosov readings were held - event started back in 2013, traditionally held in December and dedicated to the latest methods of treatment and diagnosis of diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Speaking to the participants of the readings, Health Minister Viktor Liashko noted that the full-scale war unleashed by the russian federation has changed priorities in the development of medicine, so this year’s scientific conference is dedicated to the treatment of gunshot wounds and combat injuries. After all, the departments of specialized institutions, regardless of their profile, are now dominated by military and civilian patients who suffered from attacks on cities and infrastructure facilities.

However, the problems of diseases of the cardiovascular system have not lost their relevance. They remain the dominant cause of death worldwide and in Ukraine. Moreover, the consequences of war on the general physical condition, as well as complications and deterioration of mental health, will certainly have a negative effect on heart health.

“In 2023 we will start comprehensive monitoring of these programs because today we are already identifying problems, some of which lie in the organization of assistance, some in its provision locally, and some in abuses that need to be corrected first. For example, the death rate from heart attacks in institutions that are not contracted with the NHSU is almost twice as high, and coronary angiography is performed 80 times less often. Monitoring of strokes and heart attacks will be the first areas on the experience of which the future comprehensive monitoring and quality assurance system in Ukraine will be built,” Viktor Liashko stressed.

The minister also noted that from the very beginning of the implementation of the medical guarantee program, one of the priorities of its development was the provision of medical care in case of heart attacks and strokes. This focus provided not only competitive packages and tariffs, but also priorities in setting patient routes, purchasing and distributing equipment, and so on.

“From the first days of a full-scale war our institute switched to military rails. New reception rooms have been deployed. Protocols of examination and assistance to the wounded were quickly implemented. We agreed on the routes of such patients. All personnel of diagnostic and medical services were transferred to round-the-clock mode of operation. Therefore, the wounded were received around the clock – both Kyiv civilians wounded as a result of rocket attacks, and the military. In total, since 2014, the Amosov Institute has treated 597 participants of the war with the RF who had pathology of the heart and main blood vessels, of these 40 with a combat injury to the heart and blood vessels. 426 interventions were performed. We continue the tradition of our teacher. During World War II Amosov was a military surgeon in a mobile field hospital. Only 5 surgeons in it operated on more than 50 thousand wounded people from 1941 to 1945,” said academician Lazoryshynets.

Also during the event leading industry experts were traditionally awarded the NAMNU medal named after M. Amosov.