The Ministry of Health and the World Bank discussed the results of ongoing and prospects for new joint projects to restore the healthcare sector
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko, together with World Bank Vice President Antonella Bassani and representatives of the team that will work from 1 July 2024, namely the new World Bank Regional Director Bob Saum and Operations Manager Kevin Tomlinson, met to discuss the restoration of the healthcare system and further steps in joint projects.
The projects in question are the Healthcare Enhancement and Life Saving (HEAL Ukraine), Improving Health at the Service of People, and COVID-19 Emergency Response and Vaccination in Ukraine.
"The World Bank is a reliable strategic partner of Ukraine. We actively cooperate to develop the Ukrainian healthcare system. Together, we have successfully confronted the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and are now continuing our fruitful work in the extremely difficult period of Russia's full-scale military aggression. The implementation of joint projects is a powerful assistance to our healthcare system, which allows us to strengthen medical institutions to ensure that Ukrainians are provided with quality, affordable and free medical care,’ said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.
The full-scale war unleashed by Russia has put a heavy burden on and caused significant damage to the Ukrainian healthcare system. This includes damage to Ukraine's medical infrastructure, as well as complications in the provision of medical care to the population in areas close to active hostilities.
According to the Rapid Damage and Recovery Needs Assessment (RDNA3) prepared by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank and the European Commission, the healthcare sector's needs are currently estimated at USD 16.4 billion, of which the short-term needs for 2024-2026 are estimated at USD 3.6 billion.
To further restore and provide Ukrainians with the necessary healthcare services, steps are needed to modernise and restore partially damaged facilities, as well as build new medical facilities to serve a larger population, etc.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the results and performance indicators of joint projects between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the World Bank, in particular:
1. The Healthcare Enhancement and Life Saving (HEAL Ukraine) project aims to restore and improve access to essential healthcare services for Ukrainians, meet new and urgent healthcare needs, modernise the healthcare system, etc. The project has already allocated USD 125 million to the general fund of the state budget in key areas.
The project is currently reconstructing four healthcare facilities, namely: Irpin Central City Hospital, Bobrovytsia Primary Healthcare Centre, Kozyatyn Primary Healthcare Centre, and Primary Healthcare Centre No. 4 in Vinnytsia. Vinnytsia.
Procurement and delivery of vehicles and medical equipment is ongoing. For the further reconstruction of important infrastructure facilities, after the signing of the Framework Loan Agreement, the project will attract EUR 100 million from the Council of Europe Development Bank (EBRD).
2. Emergency Response to COVID-19 and Vaccination in Ukraine Project - The World Bank supported Ukraine in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of a full-scale war. In particular, the country has systematically replaced vaccine storage equipment at the level of all regions and created a modern vaccine storage system that complies with the cold chain.
Ukrainian healthcare facilities and regional centres for disease control and prevention have been provided with WHO-qualified refrigerators and freezers (5,168 units). The project funded the purchase of 769 generators of various capacities. 24 modern computed tomography scanners, 2 angiography systems for neurosurgery and 32 ultrasound machines were purchased and delivered. Another 50 systems for decontamination of epidemically hazardous medical waste, more than 1,300 pieces of laboratory equipment for regional centres for disease control and prevention, and 300 anaesthesia and breathing machines are being procured and delivered. The total loan amount is USD 331.4 million.
3. Improving Health Care for People project - the improvement of health care services at the local level (mostly in 8 regions selected on a competitive basis), reform of the health care financing system, development of the electronic health care system (eHealth), public health services, etc. The total amount of loans is USD 349.7 million.
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Lyashko noted that the official closing of the Serving People Improving Health (SPIH) project will take place next week. It should be noted that the project has achieved high results and demonstrated its effectiveness. In particular, its implementation has significantly improved access to and the quality of medical services for the treatment of strokes and heart attacks.
Another important issue is joint initiatives to address non-communicable diseases and ensure the sustainability of previous achievements. Currently, the Ministry of Health is launching many prevention initiatives, including school meals, reducing salt consumption, etc. Strengthening the forensic medical examination system is also an important issue. After all, a strong forensic examination allows us to see gaps in the healthcare system as a whole and work effectively with them.
Viktor Liashko noted that the Ministry is ready to expand the HEAL project by attracting new donors. In particular, such expansion will be discussed in Berlin, as part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024).
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine and its partners will continue to do everything possible to strengthen the Ukrainian healthcare system despite the challenges of a full-scale war.