Ukraine and Japan Discuss Further Areas of Cooperation in Healthcare
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Ukraine. During the meeting, the parties reviewed the results of their joint work in healthcare and discussed further development of the partnership and the implementation of new joint initiatives.
Viktor Liashko thanked the Government of Japan, the Japanese people and Ambassador Masashi Nakagome personally for their consistent support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian healthcare system amid the full-scale war.
“Japan is one of Ukraine’s important strategic partners, and its support helps our healthcare system remain resilient and continue developing even amid the full-scale war. I sincerely thank the Government of Japan, the Japanese people and Ambassador Nakagome personally for their consistent support for Ukraine, personal engagement, openness to dialogue and assistance in implementing our joint initiatives. We look forward to continuing this cooperation and implementing new important projects that will bring practical benefits to both countries.”
As a reminder, an important foundation for this cooperation is the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministries of Health of Ukraine and Japan, signed in 2024. The document identifies key areas of cooperation, including the development of healthcare services, workforce training, public health, digitalization, pharmaceuticals, and the introduction of modern medical technologies.
Also this year, as part of the fifth phase of Japan’s Programme for Emergency Recovery, Japan has provided grant funding of up to JPY 6.2 billion, a significant portion of which is allocated to the healthcare sector, including the development of medical and rehabilitation services.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the material and technical capacity of healthcare facilities, developing rehabilitation services and enhancing the resilience of the healthcare system. In particular, with the support of JICA, Ukrainian healthcare facilities are receiving modern diagnostic, surgical, and rehabilitation equipment, as well as specialized vehicles. The total value of medical equipment provided to Ukrainian healthcare facilities through cooperation with Japan has already exceeded USD 30 million.
The cooperation also includes training for Ukrainian healthcare professionals and the exchange of expertise in medical rehabilitation and disaster medicine. Ukrainian healthcare professionals are currently undergoing training in Japan, including in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries and emergency response.
In this context, the parties emphasized the importance of continuing such practical projects and developing new areas of cooperation. These include the restoration and modernization of healthcare infrastructure, rehabilitation, healthcare workforce training, digitalization, and the introduction of modern medical technologies.
Overall, the Ministry of Health continues to systematically develop international partnerships and implement joint healthcare projects. As a reminder, recently Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko met with Muriel Lacoue-Labarthe, Special Envoy of the President of the French Republic for Relief and Reconstruction in Ukraine. The parties discussed the implementation of joint projects to restore and modernize healthcare infrastructure, as well as further development of Ukrainian-French cooperation in healthcare.