Ukraine and Sweden deepen cooperation in healthcare: conference on Ukraine's health system recovery held in Stockholm

On December 15, Stockholm hosted the Second Conference on Swedish Support to the Recovery and Development of Healthcare in Ukraine. The Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, in cooperation with the Swecare Foundation, organized the event.

The conference marked a continuation of the strategic partnership initiated in December 2023 following the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between Sweden and Ukraine. Jakob Forssmed, the Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health of Sweden, opened the conference. Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, also joined the discussion via a video address.

The conference brought together representatives from the governments of Sweden and Ukraine, healthcare institutions, civil society, the research community, and international organizations. The discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, reviewing progress made, and identifying further steps to support Ukraine’s healthcare system.

Key topics included the challenges facing the sector amid the full-scale war, the need to strengthen the resilience of healthcare infrastructure, support for priority reforms, the development of rehabilitation services, addressing antibiotic resistance, oncology care, and further strengthening international partnerships.

Participants also discussed consistent support for Ukraine's healthcare system by funding critical government functions through the World Bank and the European Union. In particular, under Sweden’s five-year Strategy for Reconstruction and Reform Cooperation with Ukraine for 2023–2027, SEK 9 billion has been allocated to strengthen institutional capacity, promote democratic development, and support Ukraine's European integration course.

These efforts form part of Sweden's broader and consistent support for Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion. Overall assistance now amounts to approximately SEK 109 billion, including SEK 19.4 billion in civil sector aid. This support encompasses humanitarian aid through international organizations, medical equipment supplies, patient evacuation assistance, strengthening energy infrastructure, and establishing shelters.

The conference in Stockholm marked another significant milestone in strengthening the Ukrainian-Swedish partnership in healthcare, with cooperation continuing to develop.

As a reminder, Sweden has recently joined Ukraine’s efforts in European integration, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector and the establishment of a state regulatory authority.

For reference, these initiatives are coordinated with the support of the Swedish Ministry of Social Affairs and the Swecare Foundation.