Ukraine and Estonia strengthen healthcare partnership: highlights from the official visit
A delegation of the Republic of Estonia, headed by Karmen Joller, the Minister of Social Affairs, made a working visit to Ukraine, during which a meeting was held with Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine.
“The visit of the Estonian delegation to Kyiv is a significant gesture of support and an opportunity to plan further joint steps. During my visit to Estonia, we signed a strategic document—a Technical Agreement—that outlines the key areas of bilateral cooperation in healthcare as part of the implementation of the Security Agreement concluded between our countries on June 27, 2024, in Brussels. Our joint initiatives are already delivering results, ranging from the medical treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian military personnel to advancements in digital services and inter-hospital cooperation. The agreements we have reached encompass the expansion of horizontal partnerships between medical institutions, educational programs for specialists, and integration into the European medical data space. This partnership helps Ukrainian healthcare remain resilient and continue to grow, guided by high European standards”
During the meeting, participants focused on practical steps to implement existing agreements and identified new areas of cooperation within the framework of the Technical Agreement on Healthcare Cooperation between Ukraine and Estonia. Discussions included strengthening collaboration in rehabilitation, digitalization, the development of international healthcare partnerships, joint educational initiatives, and the exchange of expertise.
Developing the rehabilitation system within the healthcare sector is a key priority for the Ministry of Health. Therefore, in collaboration with Estonian partners, we are implementing training programs and internships for Ukrainian specialists, including placements at leading clinics in Tallinn, enabling them to gain valuable experience and share it with their colleagues back home.
Special attention at the meeting was given to expanding the MEDEVAC program, which provides free medical treatment abroad for Ukrainians affected by the war. To date, 30 Ukrainian citizens, including 28 military personnel, have received treatment in Estonian clinics.
The discussion also addressed joint initiatives on digitalization. Starting in 2026, Ukraine and Estonia will implement a joint project to connect Ukraine’s electronic healthcare system to the MyHealth@EU network, which is part of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). This initiative represents a step toward Ukraine’s future integration into the EU’s digital health space and will enhance the quality of healthcare services for Ukrainian citizens abroad as well as for EU citizens in Ukraine.
Another important area of cooperation is the development of international medical partnership—an initiative launched in 2023 by Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, at the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv. Under this program, 66 memoranda of understanding have already been signed between Ukrainian and foreign healthcare facilities from 24 countries. A significant example is the memorandum between East Tallinn Central Hospital and the Central City Hospital of the city of Rivne. This cooperation focuses on post-amputation rehabilitation and recovery, as well as the exchange of expertise in treating combat injuries.
The Estonian delegation also visited the neonatal screening laboratory at the National Specialized Children's Hospital “Okhmatdyt.” Recognizing Ukraine’s leadership in the field—reflected in the more than 450,000 screenings conducted by August 2025—the two parties discussed potential opportunities for future collaboration.
The initiative was introduced in October 2022 by order of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Since then, all newborns in Ukraine have received free testing for 21 rare genetic disorders. This allows for the early detection of hereditary conditions, prompt treatment, and the prevention of severe complications.
Ukraine’s experience with systematic newborn screening has attracted interest from international partners, particularly Estonia.
In addition to the abovementioned, the meeting included discussions on cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector. In particular, Ukraine is interested in jointly implementing investment projects aimed at localizing the production of medicinal products and exchanging expertise in the regulation of medicines and medical devices. It is also interested in developing innovative technologies and conducting research in clinical and preventive medicine that addresses the needs of the healthcare systems of both countries.
As part of the planned activities during the delegation’s visit to Ukraine, the Estonian delegation toured the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics at the National Academy of Medical Sciences in Kyiv. They familiarized themselves with complex orthopedic surgery techniques, rehabilitation services, and patient care protocols for individuals with combat injuries.
This clinic specializes in orthopedic and trauma recovery, with early post-surgery rehabilitation as a key focus of its work. The Institute’s medical staff performs over 300 highly complex surgical procedures each week for wounded Ukrainian defenders and civilian patients.
As part of the exchange of experience and skills development, the delegation also visited primary healthcare centers and an EMS center in the Kyiv region, where they met with healthcare workers.
While visiting one of the healthcare facilities providing treatment to injured military personnel, the delegation was presented with the comprehensive treatment pathway for patients undergoing amputation—from evacuation and surgery to the long-term phase of physical rehabilitation, prosthetics, and social reintegration.
The delegation was also introduced to an interdisciplinary model of rehabilitation that integrates the work of surgeons, rehabilitation professionals, mental health specialists, prosthetists, and social workers, along with advanced equipment used during recovery. This approach is vital for restoring full functionality in patients after injuries, especially those injured in combat.
The visit of the Estonian delegation marked an important step in strengthening strategic cooperation between our countries and developing a sustainable, modern, and patient-oriented healthcare system in Ukraine.
As a reminder, this visit follows a recent meeting in Tallinn, where Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, and Karmen Joller, the Minister of Social Affairs, signed a Technical Agreement on healthcare cooperation.