A high-level visit of representatives of the Baltic States, initiated and organised jointly by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the WHO Office in Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, has begun in Ukraine. The purpose of the delegation’s visit is to strengthen cooperation in the healthcare sector, study the Ukrainian experience of countering and responding to the challenges caused by the full-scale war, etc.
“The support of international partners is what allows our healthcare system to withstand the difficult time of a full-scale war and continue the process of reforming it. From the very first day, we had to find quick and effective solutions to respond to the challenges our country faced: to ensure access to medical care and essential medicines, to reconfigure the system, taking into account migration processes and changes in logistics, constant shelling and attacks by the enemy, destruction of medical and energy infrastructure, etc. Ukraine’s experience is challenging, but extremely important for other countries on the way to building resilient healthcare systems that can quickly adapt in the event of emergencies. Today we are hosting our partners and friends from the Baltic States. We are happy to share our experience with them. However, I really hope that they will never need it in practice,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.
During the visit, representatives of the Baltic States will have the opportunity to learn about approaches to preparation and response in the context of russia’s armed aggression. In addition, the delegation will learn about the unique experience of resilience and resistance of Ukrainian medical institutions at the regional level.
The Baltic States are currently developing and updating their national preparedness and response policies and plans.
The partners will be presented with the current healthcare priorities and strategy in Ukraine and the structure of the medical system. In particular, the visit will focus on the following issues:
– Integrated design of healthcare systems;
– Organisation and crisis management of healthcare services in war conditions;
– Approaches to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of healthcare facilities;
– Management of patient routes and flows;
– Organisation of medical care in dual-purpose premises and shelters;
– Ensuring access to medicines and innovative approaches to the delivery and logistics of medicines;
– Ensuring the operation of public health systems, blood safety and forensic medicine, etc.
Despite the conditions of the full-scale war, the Ukrainian medical system continues not only to recover, but also to develop and become stronger. Therefore, through the interaction and partnership between the Ukrainian medical system and the systems of the Baltic States, further steps for recovery and development will be outlined. For the Baltic States, Ukraine’s experience in the recovery process is extremely valuable. The practical insights and approaches gained will form the basis for updating national preparedness and crisis prevention plans in the future. (Government portal)