Strengthening the international medical partnership between Okhmatdyt and Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden
On August 27, 2024, a meeting was held between Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko and Dr. Svante Norgren, Head of the Department of the Astrid Lindgren Children's Clinic at Karolinska University Hospital. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss the state and prospects of cooperation between Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden and the National Children's Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt”. These are twin hospitals and cooperate within the framework of the International Medical Partnership (IMP)).
“At the end of last year, during a visit to Sweden, memorandums were signed between the Karolinska University Hospital with the Okhmatdyt National Specialized Hospital and Kryvyi Rih City Clinical Hospital No. 2. We already have the first results: our doctors are undergoing training, gaining new knowledge and improving the quality of medical care in Ukraine. Such cooperation is very important for us, as international medical partnerships allow us to develop the best solutions to overcome global challenges and threats, such as a pandemic or a full-scale war. I am grateful to our First Lady Olena Zelenska for supporting this initiative, which was launched last September in Kyiv during the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. Back then, 25 Ukrainian hospitals received foreign partners. Now there are 48 such partnerships, and all of them are already developing direct in-depth cooperation with each other, sharing experience and best practices in their respective specializations.”
The participants of the meeting discussed the current cooperation between the National Children's Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt” and the Carolina University Hospital, as well as the potential assistance of the Carolina Hospital in the restoration of the destroyed building of the Okhmatdyt.
The first results of cooperation within the framework of the IMP were also noted: in March 2024, four Ukrainian doctors completed an internship at the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital. This significantly improved their skills in important medical fields such as neonatology and intensive care.
Over time, it is planned to increase the number of Ukrainian medical professionals who will be able to undergo internships at the Swedish hospital. These internships will help to improve the skills of Ukrainian doctors and improve the quality of medical services in Ukraine. In 2024, about 30 more Ukrainian doctors will have the opportunity to undergo an internship at Karolinska University Hospital.
The participants of the meeting discussed plans to expand cooperation and exchange of experience between the hospitals, as well as to assess the needs of Okhmatdyt for medical equipment directly with doctors.