Overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and developing the healthcare system in Ukraine were the topics for discussion during a meeting of Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and WHO/Europe’s Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge.

"In close cooperation with the WHO, we have been able to respond in a timely manner to the challenges posed by the pandemic and to effectively combat the spread of new variants of the virus," the Prime Minister stressed.

Denys Shmyhal accentuated that the reform of healthcare sector is a priority for the Government of Ukraine: "Our goal is to provide decent conditions for the provision of medical services for Ukrainians."

A Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) between the Government of Ukraine and the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization for 2022-2023 was inked during the meeting in the presence of the Prime Minister. The document was signed by the Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko and the WHO/Europe’s Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge.

"It is a momentous event as today, for the first time in the long history of our relations, the agreement will be concluded at the beginning of the new year. This proves the strong nature of our cooperation aimed to preserve the health of Ukrainians. The cooperation agreement outlines a number of the challenges facing Ukraine in the healthcare system. Today, we are making a significant contribution to the development of our partnership and future fruitful cooperation," said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Dr. Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, stressed that the new deal was an important step towards further strengthening Ukraine's healthcare system and implementing ongoing healthcare reforms.

Background 

The Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) between the Government of Ukraine and the WHO/Europe provides for the exchange of information on in vitro diagnostic medical devices needed to prevent the occurrence and spread, localization and elimination of outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics of acute respiratory disease COVID-19, and provides a basis for cooperation in a number of areas in the healthcare domain.