Ukraine and Japan discuss further cooperation in healthcare

Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko met with Masashi Nakagome, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, who is completing his diplomatic mission. The parties reviewed the results of joint work in the healthcare sector and discussed the future development of the partnership and new joint initiatives.

Viktor Liashko expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan, the Japanese people, and Ambassador Masashi Nakagome personally for their consistent support of Ukraine and its healthcare system during the full‑scale war.

 “Japan is one of Ukraine’s key strategic partners, whose support helps our healthcare system remain resilient and continue to develop even under wartime conditions. I sincerely thank the Government of Japan, the Japanese people, and Ambassador Nakagome for their steadfast support, personal engagement, openness to dialogue, and assistance in implementing our joint initiatives. We look forward to continuing this cooperation and launching new projects that will bring practical benefits to both countries,” said the Minister of Health of Ukraine.

This cooperation is grounded in the Memorandum between the Ministries of Health of Ukraine and Japan, signed in 2024. The document outlines key areas of collaboration, including the development of medical services, training of personnel, public health, digitalization, pharmaceuticals, and the introduction of modern medical technologies.

Within the fifth phase of Japan’s Emergency Recovery Program this year, grant funding of up to 6.2 billion yen has been allocated, a significant portion of which supports healthcare, particularly the development of medical and rehabilitation services.

The meeting also concerned joint initiatives to strengthen the material and technical base of medical institutions, expand rehabilitation services, and enhance the overall capacity of Ukraine’s healthcare system. With support from JICA, Ukrainian medical facilities are receiving modern diagnostic, surgical, and rehabilitation equipment, as well as specialized transport. The total value of medical equipment provided to Ukrainian institutions through cooperation with Japan already exceeds USD 30 million.

The partnership also includes training Ukrainian specialists and exchanging expertise in medical rehabilitation and disaster medicine. Ukrainian doctors are currently undergoing training in Japan, including in rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries and emergency response.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing such practical projects and developing new areas of cooperation, including the restoration and modernization of medical infrastructure, rehabilitation, training of medical personnel, digitalization, and the introduction of advanced medical technologies.

Overall, the Ministry of Health continues systematic work to expand international partnerships and implement joint healthcare projects.

 Recently, Minister Viktor Liashko also met with Muriel Lacoue‑Labarthe, Special Envoy of the President of France for Assistance and Recovery in Ukraine, to discuss joint projects for restoring and modernizing medical infrastructure and advancing Ukrainian‑French cooperation in healthcare.