Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko and Minister for the Interior and Health of Denmark Sophie Løhde signed an agreement on strategic sectoral cooperation in the healthcare sector, which aims to strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation in the field of health between the two countries.

“Ukraine and Denmark are strengthening their partnership: today we have signed an agreement on strategic sectoral cooperation in healthcare, which is a logical continuation of the agreement on security cooperation signed on 23 February this year by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen in Lviv. This is yet another confirmation of Denmark’s steadfast commitment to helping Ukraine, and we are extremely grateful for this support. Today, the Ukrainian healthcare system is facing unprecedented challenges due to the war. So far, 1,878 medical facilities have been damaged and another 289 destroyed. Despite this, Ukrainian doctors continue to work: to treat, help, and save lives. This is also thanks to the continued support of international partners. I am confident that more active bilateral cooperation between the countries will help strengthen our healthcare systems,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.

The signed agreement defines the common goals of Ukraine and Denmark, including the alignment of the Ukrainian healthcare system with European Union standards, the development of horizontal cooperation between hospitals in both countries, the fight against antimicrobial resistance and the strengthening of the healthcare system in Ukraine.

It also aims to identify common areas of cooperation between the countries in the following areas:

• Mental health – creating a more sustainable mental health system, taking into account the experience of Denmark. Mental health services, including child psychiatry and psychology, and support and rehabilitation for veterans, will be integrated at all levels of the healthcare system. This will create a holistic, sustainable system where mental health is an integral part of general medical care, with a focus on prevention and support for the most vulnerable groups.
• Pharmaceutical sector – creation of a state control body, a central executive body with a special status to implement state policy in the field of creation, market access, quality control, safety and efficacy of medicines. An important area of work is the unification of all existing bodies into a single institution. This body will perform functions similar to those performed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), ensuring harmonisation with European standards and a unified approach to registration and marketing authorisation of medicines in Ukraine, inspections, and pharmacovigilance.
• Epidemiological surveillance and AMR – improving the capacity of national laboratories and healthcare facilities to collect, analyse and report AMR data in accordance with EU standards. This is also a prerequisite for Ukraine’s participation in pan-European AMR surveillance networks, such as the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net) and the European Antimicrobial Resistance Genes Surveillance Network (EURGen-Net).

Also, during the visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Denmark, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control and the Danish Medicines Agency. The document concerns further cooperation between the regulatory authorities of Ukraine and Denmark. The interaction will facilitate the exchange of experience in the areas of quality, safety of medicines and medical devices; certification of the production of medicines and medical devices, compliance with GMP and GDP requirements during inspections, information on the responsibilities of regulatory authorities in relation to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971.

The Minister of Health of Ukraine stressed that Denmark had been and remained a reliable partner for Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, it has been one of the most active countries in providing assistance to the regions of Ukraine and citizens who have been particularly affected by the war. This includes humanitarian aid, the purchase of medical equipment, the country’s participation in the reconstruction of hospitals, and a clear position in the international arena. In addition, Denmark has been actively accepting injured Ukrainians for treatment and rehabilitation under the MEDEVAC programme since the first months of the war.

Viktor Liashko expressed his gratitude for the involvement and for the high level of attention that Denmark paid to Ukraine, especially in this extremely difficult period. The Minister noted that the conclusion of the strategic agreement and memorandum was another step towards the integration of the Ukrainian healthcare system and improvement of the quality of medical care. The implementation of these agreements will bring results for both parties and contribute to the achievement of strategic goals in Ukraine and Denmark.