International Conference Addressed Securing Ukraine’s Healthy Future
Over the past two days, the international conference Global Healthcare Initiative for Ukraine at the Prague Congress Centre presented the challenges that the war-torn Ukrainian healthcare sector is facing, and the needs for its reconstruction.
The conference was attended and opened by Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, who was visiting Prague with her husband, and the First Lady of the Czech Republic, Eva Pavlova, who lent her patronage to the event. The presence of both First Ladies elevated the conference to a high-profile political event. Furthermore, both Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed their desire for the Czech Republic to become a coordinator of healthcare aid for Ukraine, emphasizing that this is a national priority.
In the presence of the two First Ladies and the Ministers of Health of both countries, Viktor Liashko and Vlastimil Válek, two memoranda were signed. The aim of the first memorandum, between the Prague IKEM and the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, is primarily cooperation in the field of transplantology. The aim of the second memorandum, between the University Hospital Brno and the Regional Medical Centre for Family Health in Dnipro, is primarily cooperation in the field of oncology.
According to Petr Foit, Chairman of the Board of the Czech Health Technology Institute (CHTI), the most important goal is to continue the reconstruction and modernization of the Ukrainian healthcare system and to utilize as many different resources as possible to facilitate this renewal. The Czech Republic is currently at the forefront of an initiative that aims to comprehensively address the needs of the Ukrainian healthcare system and its strengthening. This builds upon the cooperation that was already in place before the war, as well as the progressive approach of historical initiatives such as the Marshall Plan.
“Today, our thoughts turn to what gives hope for life. Both the Czech Republic and Ukraine understand that a healthy society doesn’t simply appear; it requires a strong health system that takes care of both body and soul. Today’s initiative marks a step forward in securing a healthy future for Ukraine,” Eva Pavlová said. She expressed her appreciation for the Czech companies that readily participated in supporting Ukraine, adding that this demonstrates how solidarity can have a positive and enduring impact.
Olena Zelenska thanked the Czech Republic for being among the first to utilize the European Commission’s instruments for healthcare facility renovation. She highlighted, for instance, that many in Ukraine suffer from mental health issues stemming from the conflict. “The number of people with mental health problems has tripled,” she stated. She commended Ukrainian
doctors who, through their wartime experience, have become proficient in crisis management and care under wartime conditions. “Unfortunately, new crises are constantly emerging worldwide—and Ukraine can demonstrate how to confront them,” she added.
According to Petr Foit, the Czech healthcare system and the Czech healthcare industry can leverage this experience to gain insights into addressing potential challenges.
Ukraine’s Health Minister, Viktor Liashko, recounted the devastating impact of Russian aggression on the health sector. “The war presents numerous parallel challenges—not only in patient care, but also in infrastructure,” he stated. He also highlighted the rise in diseases currently affecting the Ukrainian population, including mental disorders, cancer, heart attacks, and strokes, noting that the long-term consequences of these conditions will be assessed decades later. He expressed gratitude to the Czech side for initiating the reconstruction of the Ukrainian healthcare system. The first six hospitals will be rebuilt with Czech partners. “We are mutually strengthening our health systems and saving lives,” he concluded.
Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek affirmed the continuation of pre-war cooperation and the ongoing project to reconstruct Ukrainian hospitals, where intensive work has now commenced. He noted that the investment amounts to almost EUR 100 million from EU funds. “The cooperation will continue and will help restore the system destroyed by senseless bombing,” he stated.
The concept of global assistance for Ukraine’s health sector includes the rehabilitation of health care infrastructure, raising the standards of vocational training, stimulating local production capacity, and improving overall access to health services in Ukraine. Special emphasis is then placed on veterans’ care and reintegration. The aim is to assist with specialized rehabilitation centers and tailored training programs that support their reintegration back into normal life, thereby strengthening their physical and mental health.
“This initiative was created to respond to the needs of the Ukrainian healthcare system,” explained Petr Foit. According to him, it is necessary to build a stronger, more modern and resilient healthcare system.
The conference was attended by a large number of guests from Ukraine, specifically from Ukrainian municipalities and administrations, hospitals, and other medical institutions. “The reason is that people from the Czech Health Technology Institute and companies involved in aid and supplies to Ukraine have been going there since the beginning of the conflict. The Czech Republic is one of the few countries whose businessmen are not afraid to go to Ukraine, and to almost every region of Ukraine. Ukrainian partners appreciate this support very much and came to the conference in incredible numbers,” added Petr Foit.
The majority of the Ukrainian visitors are professionals who confront daily challenges within health facilities and are making a real contribution to mitigating the impact of the conflict.
“Our assistance to Ukraine is selfless, yet the Czech Health Technology Institute has already noted its positive effects on the Czech Republic. Companies supplying Ukraine are experiencing an increase in orders, representing a positive economic impact. Due to the Czech Republic’s significant financial and material aid to Ukraine since the conflict’s beginning, and being among the first on the ground, we are now accessing EU funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction that is many times greater than the Czech Republic’s initial investment,” Foit explained.
Last but not least, the invitation was also accepted by guests from abroad, representatives of organizations dedicated to aiding Ukraine and its health sector, and key institutions for expanding commercial supply opportunities: the Public Procurement Agency of Ukraine, the World Bank, Ukraine’s Ukreximbank, the Czech EGAP, and the Czech National Development Bank.
The conference also featured an exhibition where the Czech Republic had a strong presence and introduced unique, complex solutions. Exhibitors included companies such as BTL, LINET, and Comedeq. British companies also had a significant presence.
Key findings of the Global Healthcare Initiative for Ukraine 2025:
- Two key memoranda were signed between Czech and Ukrainian hospitals at the Global Healthcare Initiative conference. This occurred in the presence of the two First Ladies, Olena Zelenska and Eva Pavlova, and the Ministers of Health, Viktor Liashko and Vlastimil Válek. The aim is to enhance care, exchange know-how, and support the modernization of the Ukrainian healthcare system. Partnerships established:
- IKEM and Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital (which was bombed): The aim is to cooperate mainly in the field of transplantology.
- University Hospital Brno with the Regional Medical Centre for Family Health in Dnipro: The aim is to cooperate mainly in the field of oncology.
- The crucial need to continue the reconstruction and modernization of the Ukrainian health sector, and to leverage as many diverse resources as possible to facilitate this reconstruction.
- All working groups discussed specific topics, exchanged experiences, and have now reached concrete conclusions. Further cooperation will build upon this established agenda.
- The Czech health sector and the Czech medical industry have a unique opportunity to learn from the Ukrainian health sector’s experiences in emergency situations and armed conflict. Beyond providing supplies, this offers valuable experience and insights into facing potential challenges.
- The experience in Ukraine demonstrates a shift from delivering individual products to providing integrated solutions. These comprehensive solutions offered by Czech businesses create and bring added value.
- The organizers have agreed to hold the conference annually. Next year’s event will include an evaluation of goal achievements and collaborative efforts over the subsequent 12 months.
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Hana Hikelová
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