Ukraine and the EU discussed the Medevac program
Oleksandr Porkhun, the Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine, met with representatives of the European Commission and European governments in the Polish city of Rzeszów. During the meeting, the parties discussed key issues of medical evacuation of Ukrainians, including logistics and further cooperation with partners.
“Medical evacuation is an important direction of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Commission. Since the start of the full-scale war, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the EU and international partners, has been organizing evacuation transfers for injured and critically ill Ukrainians. Over the past three years, more than 5,200 Ukrainian citizens have received treatment in European clinics. We are grateful to the European Union, the governments of European countries, international organizations, and especially Poland, which has become the closest rear support for Ukrainian patients, for their unwavering unity and solidarity. Owing to international support, thousands of Ukrainians are receiving high-quality treatment at leading clinics across Europe.”
Oleksandr Porkhun emphasized that the actions of the aggressor have caused significant damage to Ukraine's medical infrastructure. Since the start of the full-scale war, a total of 2,285 healthcare facilities have been affected by russian attacks, with 1,984 damaged and 301 fully destroyed. In addition, 242 emergency medical vehicles were damaged, 273 destroyed, and 80 stolen. Under such conditions, international assistance plays a critically important role in sustaining Ukraine’s healthcare system.
The medical hub in Rzeszów has been operating since October 2022. It serves as a transit point for Ukrainian patients before they are transferred to other European countries for treatment. The hub provides essential medical services, including screening tests, vaccinations, and psychological support.
At the Medical Hub, patients and accompanying persons can rest while awaiting their medical transfer. The hub is funded by the European Commission and operated by the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM).
Ukraine, together with its partners, is maintaining efforts to evacuate patients affected by the hostilities.
Currently, 22 EU countries are participating in medical evacuation efforts. Despite the challenges of war, support from the European Union and international partners is helping save lives and strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare system.
As a reminder, the Ministry of Health recently launched the official website for the Medevac project. The site serves as a centralized platform where patients and healthcare professionals can access all essential information about the medical evacuation program, including the application process, patient selection criteria, required documentation, and transport arrangements.