Brussels, 16 October 2024
Today, Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, will address via video message a conference on Ukraine’ s EU integration in the healthcare sector. Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health, will participate with other high-level participants to discuss the achievements and challenges of the Ukrainian healthcare sector, in the context of its integration path into the EU.
This EU-funded conference will provide an opportunity to exchange views on how to achieve strong integration of Ukraine and the EU healthcare systems and help foster bilateral cooperation with EU Member States. Young participants will share their vision for the future of the Ukrainian healthcare sector in the EU.
Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022, the Commission has been actively supporting the Ukrainian healthcare sector. More than 3,600 patients have been transferred to hospitals in EU/EEA countries through the EU Medical Evacuation programme, and the EU has funded access to mental health services for Ukrainians affected by Russia’s war of aggression. Ukraine is now also associated with the EU4Health funding programme. Ukrainian healthcare professionals and policymakers are working closely with their counterparts in EU Member States on key issues related to their healthcare sector.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “Today’s important conference demonstrates our continued and unwavering solidarity and support with Ukraine, and the EU’s full commitment to supporting Ukraine on its path to European integration. We have already deepened our cooperation in the field of health and will continue to help the Ukrainian authorities meet the requirements necessary for EU membership.”
Source – EU Commission
Remarks via Video Message by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides at the Ukrainian Ministry of Health Conference
“Check against delivery”
Honourable Minister, dear Viktor, Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured to address you today and underline our firm commitment to support Ukraine, in all respects, and for as long as it takes.
Health is of course no exception.
Our support to Ukraine as regards the healthcare sector, includes immediate needs like medical evacuation.
To date, more than three and a half thousand patients had been transferred to EU and EEA hospitals.
In addition, we provide support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Another area of huge needs and close cooperation is mental health and psychosocial support.
We have given financial support to the International Federation of Red Cross Societies to support people who have fled Ukraine or been internally displaced.
We are also helping Ukraine to strengthen access to mental health services for children.
On rehabilitation, we have supported improved services for wounded civilians and veterans.
In addition, we brought Ukraine into our EU4Health funding programme, which opens many possibilities for cooperation.
In June last year, we concluded further arrangements for deeper cooperation on Health with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health.
Ukraine’s work with our European Reference Networks enabled additional financial support for the Ukrainian Hub for Rare Diseases at the Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.
And we are delighted that Ukraine has joined the Board of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, HERA.
Together with WHO Europe we have launched a project to build capacity in Ukraine to address Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear threats – an area where we must continue to work and prepare together.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On these issues, and all on others, we know that the future of Ukraine and its citizens is in the European Union.
We are working hard to support Ukrainian authorities to meet accession requirements.
Ukraine’s alignment with EU standards will improve economic resilience, create new supply chains and strengthen sectors such as pharmaceuticals.
Negotiations will require leadership, determination and focus.
Getting reforms right will be key. Our support for Ukraine in this process is a given.
These collective efforts reflect our profound commitment to supporting Ukraine.
We stand together in your fight for freedom and democracy, and we will work together towards a future of stability, resilience, and partnership.
I wish you a fruitful day discussing the integration of Ukrainian and EU healthcare.
Thank you.
Source – EU Commission