Minister Viktor Liashko participates in an informal meeting of EU health ministers: Memorandum of Understanding signed within the framework of the security agreement with Spain
The Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, participated in an informal meeting of European health ministers chaired by the Minister of Health of Poland, Izabela Leszczyna, in Warsaw. During the meeting, participants discussed initiatives related to the mental well-being of children and youth in the digital world, the effectiveness of various disease prevention strategies, access to pharmaceutical products for patients in the EU, and more.
As part of the event, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, and the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Spain, Mónica García Gómez, signed a memorandum of understanding in implementation of the security agreement signed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, in 2023 in Madrid. The memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation between the countries in the field of healthcare, promote public health and citizen well-being, improve coordination, and help mitigate the negative consequences caused by full-scale war.
“The signing of the memorandum of understanding in implementation of the security agreement is another step toward strengthening our bilateral cooperation with Spain in the field of healthcare. Key areas for joint work have been identified, including the prevention of infectious and non-communicable diseases, the implementation of advanced medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, and the establishment of direct cooperation between healthcare institutions of both countries. Amid the full-scale war, Ukraine’s healthcare system is under immense pressure, and our doctors are working in extremely difficult conditions. Therefore, international support is crucial for us, and we deeply appreciate Spain’s solidarity and assistance. I am grateful to Spain for its active support of Ukraine’s healthcare system from the very first days of the full-scale war. This includes extensive humanitarian aid, the acceptance of injured Ukrainians for treatment and rehabilitation, as well as training and exchange programs – all of which are of vital importance to us.”
Under the terms of the memorandum, the main areas of cooperation include:
- providing technical support to Ukraine in the implementation of healthcare reforms, in particular in the areas of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, public health, cross-border healthcare, transplantation, digitalization, etc;
- supporting Ukraine in legal harmonization with the EU single market rules, in particular in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices;
- providing technical assistance and advice to improve primary health care for the population;
- finding ways to supply medicines and medical devices that Ukrainian citizens and doctors need;
- development of horizontal cooperation between healthcare institutions;
- exchange of experience and best practices in the development, evaluation, and regulation of medicines and medical devices, and the development of innovative technologies in clinical and preventive medicine;
- providing free medical care to Ukrainian citizens residing in Spain as a result of medical evacuation, guaranteeing them access to the national healthcare system, etc.
Viktor Liashko noted that Ukraine highly values Spain’s expertise and advanced technologies in the field of medicine. The minister added that Ukraine’s healthcare system, in turn, can share its experience in responding to emergencies and military and technological threats, as well as in building a resilient healthcare system amid full-scale war.
During the event, the minister also held bilateral meetings with colleagues and heads of international organizations, including Oliver Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare. The agenda included Ukraine’s European integration and the healthcare sector, as well as the consolidation of efforts to ensure the availability and accessibility of critical medicines in the European Union. This includes involving Ukrainian pharmaceutical manufacturers in the process, joint procurement of medicines, and the implementation of EU4Health projects.
Additionally, as part of the informal meeting of EU health ministers, Viktor Liashko participated in thematic sessions, including:
- Session 1: Mental health of children and adolescents. The impact of digital technologies on the lives of children and young people.
“Casualties, destruction, air raid alerts, disruption of the usual way of life - all of this has a negative impact on children's mental health. In response to this challenge, since 2022, the Government has been supporting the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and implementing the All-Ukrainian “How are you?” Mental Health Program. The efforts of the authorities, professional and scientific communities, non-governmental organizations, international partners and business have been mobilized to create a comprehensive mental health system that can meet the needs of all Ukrainians in the long term. Mental health problems are no longer a problem of the medical sphere alone. And the European principle of “mental health in all policies” has become a key principle in the Law of Ukraine “On the Mental Health Care System”, which was adopted in January 2025. Today, I have heard a lot from my European colleagues about the ban on the use of phones and tablets in schools. But in the context of a full-scale war in our country, the use of these devices is, unfortunately, the only chance for many children to get an education.”
Ось переклад англійською:
- Session 2: Strengthening health and disease prevention. The effectiveness of preventive strategies and programs implemented in EU member states.
The minister emphasized that even in times of war, Ukraine continues to focus not only on treating diseases but also on preventing them. Prevention is the foundation of a healthy nation, which is why Ukraine is implementing important programs and reforms.
One of the key directions is the public health reform. The government has approved the Healthcare System Development Strategy until 2030, aimed at ensuring Ukrainians have access to quality medical services.
Significant attention is given to preventing both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Healthcare institutions are introducing infection control systems, while the school nutrition reform, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska, helps instill healthy habits in children. Additionally, an anti-tobacco law has been adopted, along with programs to combat alcoholism and initiatives for early cancer detection.
Another priority is immunoprophylaxis. The national vaccination schedule is constantly being updated, and from 2026, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will be introduced.
Moreover, Ukraine is strengthening efforts against antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics are now dispensed by prescription, the laboratory network is expanding, infection control in healthcare facilities is being enhanced, and awareness campaigns on rational antibiotic use are being conducted.
Today, public health policy is comprehensive, extending beyond medicine to include education, the economy, and infrastructure.
During the event, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko also spoke about the development of Ukraine’s pharmaceutical industry and creating a reliable medicine safety system in Europe with a patient-centered approach. This includes efforts to establish a single national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals, implement European quality control standards, collaborate on combating counterfeit medicines, and develop a unified system for monitoring and controlling the circulation of medicines in Europe and Ukraine.
Viktor Liashko thanked international partners for their cooperation and willingness to support Ukraine during this challenging time. The minister emphasized that the dialogue between Ukraine and the EU will contribute to the recovery of the healthcare sector and provide long-term benefits.
Якщо є зауваження чи побажання щодо коригування – кажи! 😊