Ukraine and Japan will continue cooperation in healthcare - representatives of the countries discussed potential areas of cooperation
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Nakagome Masashi. During the meeting, the participants discussed the state and prospects of cooperation in the healthcare sector between the two countries.
“The war is a huge challenge for our country and its healthcare system. Every day, Russia attacks our hospitals, maternity wards, outpatient clinics and kills our people. As of today, the enemy has already damaged 1971 medical facilities and completely destroyed another 300. Today, the total losses of the medical system from the war amount to more than USD 17 billion. I am grateful to our Japanese partners for supporting our country. Japan is one of our country's most reliable and consistent partners in the fight against Russia. I am confident that our cooperation will only deepen. We have many potential areas that we are ready to develop to make Ukraine's healthcare system stronger.”
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is working closely with the Government of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine and the JICA Office in Ukraine to support and restore the medical sector. In particular, thanks to effective cooperation, we have the following results in the medical sector:
- Implementation of the Emergency Recovery Program, which is aimed at developing Ukraine's infrastructure for recovery and reconstruction in such areas as healthcare, water supply, energy, transportation, etc. This area of cooperation also provides support to various sectors, including healthcare, through the procurement of equipment and materials necessary for emergency recovery;
- Supply of medical equipment (diagnostic systems, special neurosurgical microscopes, endoscopic imaging systems, etc.) - Ukrainian hospitals received the latest medical equipment worth about $30 million
- Provision of humanitarian ambulances. As part of the cooperation, 20 ambulances and 5 portable ultrasound machines were donated for the needs of primary healthcare facilities in Kharkiv Oblast. Additionally, Ukrainian institutions will receive 20 primary care vehicles and 10 modern endoscopes as part of the cooperation;
- Exchange of experience and expert training for Ukrainian specialists;
- Development of new areas of cooperation, for example, in the field of mental health, etc.
The Minister of Health noted that thanks to the coordinated work, it is possible to provide hospitals with innovative equipment and continue to improve the healthcare system despite the war.
He also added that given the high level of Japan's expertise in the development of technological innovations, the Ukrainian side is interested in partnering with JICA in financing and supporting projects for the rehabilitation of veterans, introducing the latest technologies and training specialists in the field of medical rehabilitation.
In addition, Ukraine is interested in cooperation with the pharmaceutical market and Japanese business in general.
Another priority area of cooperation is international medical partnership. The Minister noted that it is important for the Ukrainian medical system to develop horizontal cooperation between Ukrainian and Japanese medical institutions. In this area, the goals of the medical partnership could include the mastering of Japanese rehabilitation medical practices by Ukrainian doctors, ensuring professional interaction, joint research and innovation, and the introduction of the latest technologies.
Minister of Health Viktor Liashko expressed his gratitude to the Japanese delegation for their comprehensive support of Ukraine. The Minister noted that despite the challenges of a full-scale war, cooperation in responding to healthcare needs and restoring infrastructure will only get stronger.