Ukraine and Lithuania Discuss Strengthening Cooperation within the Framework of the International Medical Partnership
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko held a meeting with Vice Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania Skirmantas Krunkaitis and representatives of the Lithuanian healthcare sector. The parties discussed the development of the international medical partnership, particularly in the context of strengthening professional exchanges between medical teams from both countries.
The delegation included representatives of Lithuanian institutions responsible for crisis management and emergency response in the healthcare sector, as well as doctors and nurses. Medical professionals from Latvia and Estonia, who are currently in Ukraine as part of a joint Baltic medical mission, also took part in the meeting.
The meeting took place as part of the 15th medical training mission in Ukraine, which this year is being held for the first time with the participation of specialists from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. During such visits, foreign medical professionals become familiar with the work of Ukrainian hospitals, exchange experience with their Ukrainian colleagues, and learn practical approaches to providing healthcare in wartime conditions.
“We are deeply grateful to Lithuania and the other Baltic countries for their solidarity with Ukraine and their consistent support. Today, this cooperation encompasses the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by the war, patient evacuation, assistance in restoring medical facilities, professional exchanges, and the development of joint initiatives within the framework of the international medical partnership. It is extremely important for us to continue developing these partnerships and expanding practical cooperation between the medical institutions of our countries.”
In particular, Ukrainian and Lithuanian healthcare institutions are currently actively cooperating within the framework of the international medical partnership, an initiative launched with the support of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. Medical teams are carrying out reciprocal professional visits and exchanging expertise in emergency care, traumatology, treatment of blast injuries, and medical evacuation. In this context, the parties discussed further expanding this cooperation and involving additional Lithuanian hospitals.
Particular attention was paid to ensuring the operation of healthcare facilities under crisis conditions. In this area, Ukraine is ready to share its experience in ensuring the autonomous operation of healthcare facilities, organizing medical evacuation, patient routing, responding to mass casualty incidents, and coordinating efforts between hospitals, emergency services, and government authorities.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to deepen practical cooperation in the healthcare sector and expand interaction between medical institutions and healthcare professionals, particularly within the framework of the international medical partnership initiative.
Importantly, cooperation between Ukraine and Lithuania in the healthcare sector is systemic and covers the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by the war, medical evacuation, restoration of healthcare infrastructure, and the implementation of joint projects. As of August 2026, 425 Ukrainians have been medically evacuated to Lithuania for treatment under the MEDEVAC programme.
Overall, the Ministry of Health is systematically working to expand international cooperation in the healthcare sector. As previously reported, the fifth meeting of the Subcommission on Cooperation in the Field of Medicine under the Commission on Cooperation between the Governments of Ukraine and the People's Republic of China was recently held. During the meeting, the parties discussed further strengthening cooperation in the healthcare sector.