Ukraine and Brazil discussed cooperation in the healthcare sector
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Brazil to Ukraine Rafael de Mello Vidal held a working meeting on joint steps towards cooperation in the healthcare sector.
“The Ukrainian healthcare system is currently undergoing unprecedented challenges due to the full-scale war. Despite the shelling and destruction of medical facilities, Ukrainian doctors demonstrate professionalism and dedication every day, saving lives even in the most difficult conditions. Thanks to international support and the resilience of our healthcare professionals, the healthcare system continues to operate and provide care to all who need it. We have not only adapted to the new reality, but also continue to develop medicine, finding effective solutions for the needs of wartime. International partnership is extremely important for Ukraine. We are grateful to the Government of Brazil and the Brazilian people for their support. We appreciate the cooperation and are committed to expanding our bilateral relations by seeking common interests to move forward together.”
During the meeting, the participants discussed updating the bilateral agreement to clearly define the priority areas of cooperation that are of interest to both countries.
In particular, they discussed the development of international medical partnerships. This initiative was launched in 2023 as part of the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen under the patronage of First Lady Olena Zelenska. The program provides for the signing of memorandums of cooperation between Ukrainian and international healthcare institutions. Currently, there are 61 of them. The development of the initiative allows Ukrainian medics to share their own experience and learn from the experience of their foreign colleagues to strengthen the medical sector in Ukraine. Ukrainian medics have already completed internships in Brazil. At the initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress and Unite with Ukraine, an internship for Ukrainian doctors was organized in São Paulo at the Albert Einstein Hospital, a recognized leader among Brazilian healthcare institutions and considered the best clinic in Latin America. The program included training in emergency care at the prehospital and hospital stages for military and civilian injuries (PHTLS, ATLS, BOGTS, eFAST, blood and difficult airway management), as well as internships in mental and physical rehabilitation, and healthcare system development in times of crisis. It is important to scale this experience.
They also discussed strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry. Brazil is a global producer of immunobiological drugs that are exported to more than 70 countries. The country’s pharmaceutical market is worth about USD 21 billion, which is equal to the size of the Canadian market. Ukraine is interested in developing partnerships between Ukrainian and Brazilian pharmaceutical companies to provide the population with quality and affordable medicines. Given Brazil’s successful experience in the production of medicines and vaccines, there is an opportunity to attract Brazilian investment in Ukraine’s pharmaceutical sector, which will contribute to both the development of the industry and ensure a stable supply of essential medicines.
In addition, attention was paid to the urgent needs of the medical system. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Brazil has sent 3 batches of medicines to Ukraine with a total weight of about 22.5 tons as humanitarian aid. Separately, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency sent two shipments of food, medicines, stand-alone water purifiers and other medical supplies, totaling about 14 tons.
The Minister of Health of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to the partners for the meeting and discussion of the priority areas of development for the Ukrainian healthcare industry. Viktor Liashko added that deepening the partnership between Ukraine and Brazil in the medical sector will help improve the quality of medical services. Ukraine is ready to discuss specific initiatives that will be beneficial for both sides.