Despite systemic challenges, Ukraine continues to prepare for the next winter to ensure the functioning of the Ukrainian healthcare system in the future. Thus, since the beginning of the year, thanks to the assistance of the German government, the World Health Organization, together with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, has started installing modular boiler houses in hospitals.

As part of a large-scale initiative, modular boiler houses were installed in the Bobrovytsia Central and Korop Central Hospitals in Chernihiv region. It should be noted that the modular boiler house of Bobrovytsia Central Hospital includes two boilers with a capacity of 1,600 kW. The Korop Central Hospital has a modular boiler house with two boilers with a capacity of 500 kW. Both boiler houses are fuelled by wood, which makes them fully autonomous in case of complete blackouts or emergency power outages.

The boiler houses serve as alternative heating systems for the entire hospital. Both hospitals serve more than 54,000 residents of Chernihiv region communities.

“In the face of constant rocket attacks and bombardment by russia, we are actively working to ensure that our hospitals are protected and can operate smoothly under any conditions. That is why we continue to provide medical facilities with generators and energy equipment, including solar stations, boilers, wells, etc. Thus, thanks to cooperation with our partners, we managed to install modular boiler houses in hospitals in Chernihiv region. Thanks to the installed heating units, medical facilities will be prepared for possible challenges and will be able to heat themselves efficiently. We are working to support our healthcare facilities and make them more resilient so that patients can receive uninterrupted medical care,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.

According to Dr Emanuele Bruni, WHO Incident Manager in Ukraine, modular boiler houses will support hospitals in emergency situations, which are a daily reality for some regions. This initiative eases the burden on local communities by ensuring that their central hospitals will be heated and operational during the third winter of war in Ukraine, despite the ongoing attacks on social infrastructure. The availability of high quality health services and medicines creates a sense of security and confidence.

According to Martin Jäger, German Ambassador to Ukraine, Germany remains committed to supporting Ukraine in this difficult time. The provision of modular boiler houses to hospitals aims to ensure uninterrupted essential medical services during the harsh winter months. This initiative not only meets immediate needs, but also strengthens the resilience of the Ukrainian healthcare system in the long term.

Background

The projects aim to increase the sustainability and efficiency of healthcare facilities by installing modern heating systems. This will help ensure uninterrupted healthcare services during winter and possible power outages, providing a stable and safe environment for patients and healthcare workers. The first such modular boiler house was installed in Kharkiv region, where civilian infrastructure is subject to constant shelling and bombardment. Another module is in the process of being installed in Odesa region, and four are being prepared. A total of eight such modules are planned to be installed.