From Countering Disinformation to Infection Prevention and Control: Ukraine Shares Its Experience at a Global Health Security Forum

Ukraine showcased its approaches to strengthening health security amid wartime challenges at the Global Health Security Conference 2026. Representatives of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine shared practical lessons learned during the full-scale war, including approaches to countering health-related disinformation, implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Representatives of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection also participated in thematic sessions dedicated to public health emergency preparedness and strengthening global health security. During the session “Coordinated Approaches to Integrated Health Security in Ukraine,” the Ukrainian delegation presented its approach to responding to information threats in wartime. Discussions focused on countering disinformation, protecting information integrity, and strengthening public trust in health-related decisions. Ukraine’s experience demonstrated that information resilience is a critical component of effective crisis response and an integral part of health security.

Particular attention was given to Ukraine’s practical lessons in infection prevention and control. During the session “Saving Lives in Complex Settings: Advancing IPC for Outbreak Preparedness and Response in Ukraine, DRC and the Philippines,” Ukrainian experts shared their experience in implementing IPC measures and strengthening the health system’s capacity to prepare for and respond to infectious disease outbreaks during prolonged crises and emergencies.

Participation in international professional forums provides an opportunity not only to learn from global best practices but also to contribute Ukraine’s own expertise, developed under unprecedented circumstances. Ukraine’s experience in public health, outbreak preparedness, and crisis communications is increasingly becoming part of international professional exchange and attracting the attention of partners worldwide.

One example of strengthening outbreak preparedness in Ukraine is the launch of the Achieving Goals and Supporting Epidemic Control (EpiC) project. The initiative aims to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, enhance multisectoral coordination, and improve the country’s capacity to rapidly detect and respond to public health threats. The project brings together the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regional health departments, and healthcare facilities.

Background: The Global Health Security Conference 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, brought together more than 1,200 participants from governments, international organizations, academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector. The conference is one of the leading international platforms for discussing global health security, emergency preparedness, prevention of and response to infectious disease outbreaks, and strengthening multisectoral collaboration through the One Health approach. Ukraine’s participation and the presentation of its experience at the conference were supported by the EpiC project.