International Medical Partnership: 2025 results and new horizons for further cooperation

The International Medical Partnership, launched at the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, during the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in 2023, continues to expand, bringing together a growing number of healthcare institutions and partner countries.

The International Medical Partnership Forum, held in Kyiv in October under the slogan “From Doctor to Doctor,” was one of the year's key events. The event gathered representatives from healthcare facilities, academic institutions, and professional communities from more than 15 countries, serving as an important platform for the practical exchange of experience and the development of horizontal cooperation among healthcare institutions.

The number of partnerships has further expanded. In 2025, 38 new memoranda of cooperation were signed under the initiative, increasing the total number of partner countries to 26. To date, more than 100 medical partnerships have been established through the initiative.

The areas of cooperation include oncology, surgery, mental health, palliative care, transplantation, neonatology, rehabilitation, and telemedicine.

Oncology emerged as one of the key priorities of the International Medical Partnership in 2025. A significant part of professional exchanges, internships, and continuing professional development programs focused on the development of oncology care and the implementation of contemporary European treatment standards.

In 2025, comprehensive professional development programs for Ukrainian oncologists were delivered as part of cooperation with France under the Health Program of Expertise France. These activities included specialized training in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment at university clinics in Strasbourg, as well as clinical internships at leading oncology centers in France, such as Institut Curie, Gustave Roussy, AP-HP, and APHM.

The programs focused on interdisciplinary, patient-centered approaches and concluded with the awarding of French university diplomas to Ukrainian specialists. These diplomas were officially presented during the International Medical Partnership Forum, “From Doctor to Doctor,” held in Kyiv.

Also, in 2025, the First Lady of Ukraine’s Initiative facilitated the strengthening of cooperation in oncology with the United Kingdom. Three delegations of experts from the National Cancer Institute of Ukraine are undergoing specialized training at The Christie Institute for Cancer Education in Manchester. The training programs cover clinical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology, with an emphasis on hands-on experience in contemporary clinical practices and treatment protocols used by leading cancer centers worldwide.

The expansion of the initiative remains ongoing, focusing on bringing new healthcare institutions into the partnership and strengthening cooperation in priority areas.

More information on successful cases of international medical cooperation is available at the following link.

For reference, the International Medical Partnership, initiated by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska at the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in 2023, exemplifies horizontal cooperation between Ukrainian and international healthcare institutions. This initiative is particularly important during the ongoing war, where each effort to exchange expertise and development is a step towards our shared victory.

The initiative unites Ukrainian and international healthcare institutions from countries such as France, Poland, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic, Israel, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Moldova, Canada, Austria, the Netherlands, and others. Further information about the initiative's implementation is available at the link.