An online meeting of the Healthcare Sectoral Working Group of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine with international partners was held under the chairmanship of Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko. The participants of the meeting discussed the development of rehabilitation care, measures to restore and develop Ukraine's medical infrastructure during the war, and the state of restoration of the Okhmatdyt National Children's Specialised Hospital, among other issues.

"Even in the midst of war, we continue to work on strategic directions for the development of the Ukrainian healthcare system. Active cooperation with international partners plays a crucial role in this. In particular, within the framework of the Sectoral Working Group, because on this platform we can have a frank dialogue about the changes taking place in the healthcare system and the needs that it faces. Together, we continue to work on the Healthcare System Development Strategy until 2030, reforming the system of rehabilitation care in the healthcare sector, and restoring and developing Ukraine's medical infrastructure," said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.

During the meeting, Edem Adamanov, Deputy Minister of Health, reported on the situation with the restoration of Ukraine's largest children's hospital, Okhmatdyt, which had been damaged by russians as a result of yet another terrorist attack. As a result of the shelling, five buildings of the medical facility were damaged.

The hospital's reconstruction and modernisation plan includes a number of projects to carry out repair and restoration work and upgrade the hospital's material and technical facilities.

Work has recently begun to minimise the adverse impact of autumn and winter weather conditions on the condition of the building and its functioning. The Ministry and its partners are working together to ensure that the restoration and reconstruction of the medical facility is as efficient as possible.

Oleksandr Porkhun, Deputy Minister of Health, also reported on the development of a system of quality and affordable rehabilitation care in the healthcare sector of Ukraine. He spoke about the development of a network of rehabilitation units based on a capable network of medical institutions, coordination and assessment of the current needs of the medical system.

Another point of discussion was the restoration of Ukraine's medical infrastructure during a full-scale war. Vitalii Karanda, Head of the Healthcare Rehabilitation Project Office at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, spoke about the priorities for the recovery. In particular, the systematisation of healthcare infrastructure projects, rapid assessment of damage and needs of the healthcare system, coordination of international technical assistance for the implementation of restoration and infrastructure projects, etc. The restoration and modernisation of Ukrainian healthcare facilities has been underway since the beginning of the full-scale war and will continue.

Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko noted that such meetings were important for maintaining a dialogue with partners and implementing real steps to reform the healthcare sector. Such interaction will help to carry out post-war reconstruction and development of medical infrastructure, as well as to agree with partners on common areas and priorities for cooperation within existing projects.

It should be noted that the work of the Working Group will form the basis for the developed plan of the Strategy until 2030. The next meeting of the Working Group will be held by the end of 2024.

Background information

The Sectoral Working Group is a platform for dialogue on changes and needs in the healthcare system. The purpose of the Health Working Group (HWG) is to hold a regular dialogue with development partners to present priorities and results of activities aimed at implementing the Action Programme of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and healthcare reforms.