The Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the David Nott Foundation expand cooperation in healthcare

On November 10, Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, held a meeting with representatives of the David Nott Foundation. This UK charity actively supports Ukraine's healthcare system during the war.

The meeting was also attended by Edem Adamanov, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, along with UK's partners, including James Gough, the Foundation's Chief Executive Officer; Nick Fishwick, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Anna Bornstein, Chief Operating Officer; Donald Porteus, Partner in charitable initiatives; Oksana Romanchuk, Interpreter.

Viktor Liashko extended his gratitude to the United Kingdom and the David Nott Foundation for their ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine since the start of russia's full-scale invasion.

During the meeting, participants discussed the development of horizontal linkages between Ukrainian and UK medical institutions under the International Medical Partnership initiative, supported by Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Among the achievements of this cooperation was a unique laparoscopic total colectomy performed at the Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital in partnership with Nottingham University Hospital. Professor Charles Armstrong and Nina Randhawa from the United Kingdom, along with Ukrainian specialists Ihor Vytvytskyi and Orest Pretsel, participated in the complex surgery. Beyond saving the life of a patient with a rare disease, this case exemplified effective international cooperation and knowledge exchange, enabling Ukrainian doctors to adopt advanced surgical techniques.

Cooperation under the International Medical Partnership initiative also continues between the National Cancer Institute of Ukraine and King's College London, as well as between V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust. Other healthcare institutions have already joined the initiative and are participating in the exchange of clinical experience and the training of medical professionals.

The parties also discussed the upcoming visit of a delegation from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, which will serve as the next step in strengthening bilateral healthcare cooperation.

The agenda of the visit includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Department of Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom. This agreement will establish a framework for systematic bilateral cooperation in key areas, including the restoration of medical infrastructure, development of the public health system, digital transformation, and professional training. It will also include reforms in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, emergency care, rehabilitation, and mental health.

The David Nott Foundation is one example of the systematic support the United Kingdom has provided to Ukraine’s healthcare system. Since the beginning of the war, the UK has supplied over 60 ambulances, 4.2 million doses of medicines, and 1.5 million items of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, bandages, and other medical equipment. Additionally, several training programs have been implemented for Ukrainian medical professionals.

Moreover, the United Kingdom has contributed £29 million in winter humanitarian aid to Ukraine and has delivered additional equipment for hospitals, rescue workers, and mobile clinics operating under challenging conditions.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine continues to systematically expand cooperation with UK partners in strategically important areas, including the digital transformation of healthcare, the development of rehabilitation care and prosthetic services. It also focuses on the strengthening of system resilience for emergency response.

As a reminder, Ukraine and the United Kingdom are jointly committed to further strengthening their bilateral collaboration in the healthcare sector.