79th World Health Assembly: Ukraine presented an integrated model of medical evacuation ‘from the battlefield to recovery’ to its international partners

On the second day of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, a high-level side event entitled ‘Saving Lives Under Fire: Ukraine’s Integrated Model of Medical Evacuation – From the Battlefield to Recovery’ took place. The event was attended by the health ministers of Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Czech Republic, Ireland and Finland, as well as representatives of the governments of Estonia and France.

During the event, Ukraine shared with its international partners its experience of operating a medical evacuation system amid full-scale war and constant attacks on civilian infrastructure and the healthcare system.

Since February 2022, Ukraine’s healthcare system has been operating under extreme pressure. Continuous russian attacks, the destruction of medical facilities and disruptions to access to medical services have created urgent needs for the evacuation of civilians and wounded military personnel.

In response, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in collaboration with the European Union, the governments of partner countries and with the support of the World Health Organisation, launched the Ukraine Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) programme. Under the programme, patients requiring treatment for injuries and burns, cancer care, rehabilitation or prosthetics have gained access to life-saving treatment that is currently limited or unavailable in Ukraine due to the war. A total of 6,741 patients (among which are 4,756 military personnel) received treatment and rehabilitation in 33 countries under the MEDEVAC programme.

"In 2025, we introduced a targeted medical evacuation system that ensures the timely transportation of casualties from areas of active combat, the transfer of critically ill patients to specialized hospitals, and, where necessary, their onward referral for treatment abroad. Implementing this model required the development of new coordination mechanisms and logistical solutions, the strengthening of the trauma care system, and the development of cross-border medical cooperation. Modern warfare has changed the very logic of medical evacuation. Due to the active use of drones, traditional battlefield evacuation has become significantly more complex: evacuation routes are under constant aerial surveillance, and each operation effectively requires separate coordination planning and the deployment of significant resources. The extent of the so-called ‘kill zone’ today is 10–15 km. In many cases, evacuation is only possible during narrow time ‘windows’ when enemy drone activity temporarily subsides. Under such conditions, even armoured vehicles no longer always guarantee the safe removal of the wounded from the strike zone,” noted Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko.

Using the First Separate Medical Battalion as an example, Ukrainian representatives demonstrated to their European partners the implementation of innovative ground-based robotic systems capable of remotely transporting the wounded. Developed and adapted to the conditions of high-intensity warfare, these technologies are increasingly being used to evacuate casualties from from active combat zones to stabilisation points, thereby minimising the risks to medical teams. The use of robotic platforms and unmanned systems is becoming critical to saving the lives of both the wounded and medical personnel.

Read more at the Ministry of Health website.