During a recent visit to Ukraine, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge stressed WHO’s continued support for the COVID–19 response in Ukraine and the health system transformation amid the pandemic.
The three-day visit provided an opportunity to discuss the country’s COVID–19 preparedness and response, health system reform process, humanitarian response and socioeconomic recovery, and the importance of strengthening the prison health system capacity in Ukraine during meetings with high-level representatives of the Government of Ukraine and international development partners.
Meeting health care workers on the front line of the COVID–19 response
During the country visit, Dr Kluge visited the Kyiv Regional Laboratory. Meeting with the laboratory workers performing COVID–19 testing in the Kyiv Region, Dr Kluge expressed appreciation for the efforts and professionalism of laboratory staff, who are at great risk of exposure to COVID–19 due to their daily work with samples of patients’ biological material.
The Regional Director also met with health care workers at Primary Health Care Facility No. 2 in Kyiv to discuss access to essential health services and addressing COVID–19. He also met with frontline health care workers who had recovered from COVID–19. Dr Kluge thanked health professionals for their continuous efforts on the front line against COVID–19, and for putting their health at risk to save the lives of their patients. Incidentally, the World Health Assembly decided in November to dedicate 2021 to health and care workers.
Strengthening strategic ties with Ukraine
During a meeting with the Minister of Health of Ukraine Mr Maxym Stepanov, Dr Kluge discussed the areas of collaboration within the framework of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement for 2020–2021, recently signed between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Government of Ukraine. The discussion also covered various other topics, including the COVID–19 response strategy, COVAX and access to vaccines, health system reforms and approaches to addressing vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Ukraine is responding to the COVID–19 outbreak and continues to transform the health system to build a healthier future for its citizens. While WHO supports the response to the pandemic today and is addressing some of the immediate needs with various partners, it is important to ensure access to essential health services for those in need,” said Dr Kluge.
The meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mr Denys Shmygal offered another opportunity to discuss the COVID–19 outbreak response in Ukraine, health system transformation and sustainable development, as well as socioeconomic recovery and health.
Mr Shmygal emphasized the importance of cooperation between WHO/Europe and Ukraine, and WHO support in strengthening the COVID–19 response in Ukraine.
In his discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mr Dmytro Kuleba, Dr Kluge underlined the importance of international solidarity in the face of the COVID–19 pandemic, also focusing on the actions to respond to the pandemic in the country, the health agenda globally and in Ukraine, the humanitarian response as well as actions for medium-term recovery.
“The COVID–19 pandemic is a global challenge, putting health systems worldwide to the test. WHO is working closely with the Government of Ukraine and national and international partners in Ukraine to facilitate the country’s COVID–19 outbreak response, ensure socioeconomic recovery and improve health outcomes for the people of Ukraine,” said Dr Kluge.
Dr Kluge’s visit also included a meeting with Mr Mykhailo Radutsky, Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance, and Ms Olha Stefanyshyna, Member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance. They discussed various regulatory initiatives as well as COVID–19 preparedness and response, continued health system transformation, sustained focus on health financing, and public health modernization, including immunization measures.
During the visit, Dr Kluge met with the Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine Ms Olena Vysotska to discuss the importance of strengthening the prison health system capacity in Ukraine, especially amid the COVID–19 pandemic, as well as efforts to improve health outcomes for individuals in prisons and other places of detention.
Leveraging international partnerships for health in Ukraine
Dr Kluge’s visit to Ukraine also included meetings with United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Ms Osnat Lubrani and the United Nations Country Team in Ukraine. The discussions focused on ensuring a rapid and effective COVID–19 response, support of health care reforms in Ukraine, investment in health systems and essential services as well as the humanitarian response in Ukraine.
The Regional Director also held discussions with the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine and Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Mr Matti Maasikas, looking at the areas of collaboration between WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Union in Ukraine, as well as plans to strengthen the country’s health system. Dr Kluge stressed the importance of cooperation between WHO and the EU on the ongoing response to the pandemic and support for COVID–19 vaccination in Ukraine.
During the productive visit Dr Kluge also met the Heads of Cooperation from diplomatic missions and international organizations, and discussed with Health Cluster partners the latest developments related to the humanitarian and COVID–19 response in the Eastern Conflict Area.
Led by WHO Representative Dr Jarno Habicht, the WHO team in Ukraine consists of approximately 70 staff members and consultants who provide technical expertise and build national capacity on health-related matters. The priorities for the Country Office are set out in the Biennial Collaborative Agreement between WHO/Europe and Ukraine. The Office implements the agreement in close collaboration with national institutions and international partner agencies.