About WHO in Ukraine

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO was founded in 1948 to work for the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all peoples. WHO works with 194 Member States, providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, and articulating evidence-based policy options. It also provides technical support to Member States, monitors and assesses health trends, funds medical research and provides emergency aid during disasters. Through its programmes, WHO also works to improve nutrition, housing, sanitation and working conditions around the world. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has six regional offices around the world.

The European Region (WHO/Europe)

WHO/Europe is one of WHO’s six regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries, covering a vast geographical region from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. WHO/Europe staff are public health, scientific and technical experts, based in the main office in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 7 technical centres and in country offices in 30 Member States (plus one planned). In addition, WHO/Europe coordinates with the European Union and its agencies, and is host organization and partner of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

WHO Country Office, Ukraine

The WHO Country Office in Ukraine was established in June 1994 in Kyiv to support the country’s sustainable health development. The WHO team in Ukraine consists of around 50 professionals who provide technical expertise on health-related matters and build national capacity through policy dialogues, strategic support, technical assistance, service delivery to fill gaps during emergencies, and adaptation of global norms and standards to the national context.

At the global level, WHO is committed to an ambitious 5-year plan, the 13th General Programme of Work (GPW 13) for 2019–2023. At the regional level, the European Programme of Work for 2020–2025, entitled “United action for better health in Europe”, sets out a vision of how WHO/Europe can support Member States in finding actionable solutions to pertinent health issues together and in contributing to the GPW 13’s “triple billion” targets and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In close cooperation with local health authorities and policy-makers, WHO works to strengthen health systems, public health services and public health institutions, and to move towards universal health coverage (UHC), giving all people access to quality health services without fear of financial hardship or impoverishment. In Ukraine, as in all countries, WHO implements the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), which provide a unique global structure for health security.

Together with national health authorities and stakeholders, WHO works to counter the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental disorders, with a focus on addressing risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits.

To address vaccine-preventable diseases in Ukraine, WHO continues to support national immunization systems and vaccine delivery programme planning, and to foster evidence-informed dialogue and capacity development for routine and additional immunization. The Country Office also provides technical assistance in the areas of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

WHO works to prepare for and respond to health emergencies by offering technical guidance, support and coordination in the field. WHO has coordinated the activities of the health response since the beginning of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. To meet the needs of people living in conflict-affected areas, WHO provides selected medicines and medical equipment for secondary and tertiary care facilities, builds on the potential of health workers, and works to improve the quality of health services and prevent outbreaks of diseases.

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.