Healthcare system response to war challenges discussed at the OECD Health Committee meeting
Committee on Health of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Maryna Slobodnichenko, Deputy Minister of Health for European Integration, and Vitaliy Kryliuk, Director of the Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center for Emergency and Disaster Medicine of the Ministry of Health, presented the Ministry’s achievements in reforming the healthcare system, which were implemented during the war.
They also presented solutions that can be adapted by other OECD member countries to strengthen their healthcare systems. Among the achievements are the development of physical rehabilitation measures and assistance with mental health issues.
In the field of physical rehabilitation, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine is implementing a large-scale plan to create more than 200 barrier-free rehabilitation units in medical institutions of a capable network, of which more than 70% are already functioning. These departments are staffed by multidisciplinary teams that provide a comprehensive approach to patient recovery. Additionally, seven rehabilitation centers of excellence have been established in Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro, Uzhhorod, Vinnytsia, and Ternopil. They improve the skills of specialists and introduce advanced methods of care.
Representatives of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine presented their experience of working with international partners in implementing the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How are you?”. Thanks to this cooperation, it was possible to develop tools that provide Ukrainians with access to psychological support.
“Mental health is one of the key challenges of war. Realizing the growing need for psychological support, we, together with our partners, are actively building a system that will provide quality and affordable services for everyone. The first step is to integrate services into primary care through the Medical Guarantee Program and large-scale training of doctors under the WHO mhGAP program. This worked: about 500,000 Ukrainians used primary care services in 2024. The next step is to create a network of mental health centers at hospitals. We plan to open at least 200 such centers so that quality care is close to those who need it.”
Another important achievement is the development of a national network of emergency medical teams that meet international standards and the introduction of digitalization in healthcare. These initiatives have proven to be effective in Ukraine and can serve as an example for OECD member countries in dealing with emergencies.
“All regional emergency medical centers are actively training medical staff in simulation centers. This makes it possible to provide fast and up-to-date training for emergency medics, which is extremely important in wartime.”
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine focuses on building the healthcare system in such a way that Ukrainians want to return home and are confident in the possibility of receiving quality medical care at home. An important priority is to create conditions for the professional development of doctors in Ukraine, which will help to retain qualified personnel in the country. In addition, in the context of the demographic crisis, the Ministry of Health is making every effort to preserve human capital, ensuring the sustainability and accessibility of the healthcare system for all citizens.
For reference: An organization that brings together 38 economically developed countries to coordinate policies in various sectors, including health care. The organization promotes the development of standards and practices to ensure sustainable development.
In the summer of 2022, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal applied for Ukraine’s accession to the OECD. Ukraine has been an invited member of the OECD Health Committee since June 2023. The status allows participation in meetings of committees and working groups. The Ministry of Health focuses on the committee’s working groups on digitalization, statistics, and pharmaceuticals.
The participation of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in the OECD Health Committee lays the foundation for cooperation and strengthens Ukraine’s voice in the international arena. It also demonstrates the resilience of Ukraine’s health care system, which can serve as an example for other countries, as well as share its own practical experience to be taken into account in foreign policies.