Kyiv hosts conference on integration of Ukrainian medicine into the European healthcare system
The “European Integration of Ukraine: Healthcare” conference was held in Kyiv. The event was organized by the Ministry of Health jointly with the European Union and with the support of the EU project “Support to Ukraine for Developing a Modern Public Health System”, Expertise France, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners.
The conference was devoted to establishing a political dialogue on healthcare in Ukraine on its way to European integration, discussing emergency preparedness, healthcare services, and European financial and investment opportunities to strengthen the healthcare system.
The speakers of the event include political leaders of Ukraine’s European integration process, representatives of the European Commission, in particular the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), officials of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), members of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, representatives of the WHO in Ukraine and the pharmaceutical business, doctors, experts, etc.
“Ukraine continues to make steady progress towards European integration and the implementation of European practices and standards. The government, the public, business and international organizations are consolidating their efforts to achieve this. This is the only way we can strengthen the Ukrainian healthcare system and establish a political dialog to effectively face global challenges.”
According to the Deputy Minister, European standards are being implemented in four key areas:
- public health and integration into pan-European infectious disease control and prevention systems;
- introduction of European standards in the provision of medical services;
- pharmaceuticals and ensuring access to safe and high-quality medicines;
- medical education and human resources, including advanced training of medical professionals under European standards.
In addition, medical sector digitalization is ongoing to develop digital technologies and create a single medical information space.
“WHO continues to support the healthcare system of Ukraine and Ukrainians on their way to joining the EU. The conference “European Integration of Ukraine: Healthcare” is an important step in supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system in times of enormous challenges caused by the ongoing war - attacks on medical and civilian infrastructure, massive displacement, disruption of access to essential healthcare services and many others. However, we also see Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to modernizing and strengthening its healthcare infrastructure. As was emphasized during the conference, the financial and investment opportunities of the European Union are crucial for the restoration and reform of Ukraine’s healthcare system. The conference highlighted the critical needs and opportunities for investment and financial instruments to support Ukraine’s healthcare system on its path to EU integration, including the opportunities offered by the Ukraine Facility economic support program.”
The conference participants discussed the results of the implementation of European standards in the Ukrainian healthcare system, as well as the results of Ukraine’s cooperation with other EU member states. Ukraine cooperates with France, Sweden, Estonia, Poland, Germany, Romania, Denmark, Latvia, and the Czech Republic. The areas of cooperation include cooperation in public health and pharmaceuticals, including the exchange of experience and the development of opportunities to supply products to mutual markets, strengthening horizontal medical partnerships, implementing rehabilitation programs, introducing telemedicine, using artificial intelligence in the field of mental health, implementing infrastructure projects, equipping healthcare facilities, etc.
In addition, Ukraine has concluded security agreements with 25 countries and the European Union that define areas of security cooperation, including in the healthcare sector. These partners include the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Japan, the United States, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Luxembourg, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Ireland. Ukraine also continues to work on concluding technical agreements with these countries to consolidate the priorities of cooperation in the healthcare sector. Technical agreements have already been signed with Latvia and Sweden.