Germany and Ukraine agree on closer cooperation in the field of health
In a Joint Declaration of Intent, Germany and Ukraine have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the field of healthcare and public health.
On Friday, 2 February 2024, Federal Minister of Health Prof. Karl Lauterbach and Ukrainian Minister of Health Dr Viktor Liashko signed a declaration to expand cooperation in the field of health following a joint press conference with Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze. It covers, among other things, cooperation in preventive health care, control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, rehabilitation and mental health.
Russia’s criminal war of aggression against Ukraine is hitting the country’s healthcare provision particularly hard. More than 1,500 attacks on healthcare facilities and medical staff have been documented since the war began. Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression, the German Federal Government has provided Ukraine with assistance amounting to 28 billion euros, including for the healthcare system. In addition, Germany has admitted and treated more than 900 injured patients here. The Ukrainian healthcare system continues to function despite these targeted attacks, and I would like to thank my counterpart Viktor Liashko for his indefatigable dedication to the well-being of the Ukrainian population and the strong relationship with Germany. Germany will also stand closely by Ukraine during its upcoming healthcare reform. This agreement allows us to provide new impetus for working more closely together, in particular with a view to Ukraine’s efforts toward EU accession.
Die Covid-19-Pandemie und insbesondere dieser groß angelegte Krieg haben uns die Bedeutung internationaler medizinischer Partnerschaften klar vor Augen geführt. Schließlich kann kein Gesundheitssystem derartige Herausforderungen allein bewältigen. Wir setzen auf weltweite Zusammenarbeit. Beim dritten Gipfel der First Ladies und Gentlemen im letzten Herbst unterstützten 16 Gesundheitsministerinnen und -minister eine gemeinsame Erklärung, die gleich vier Schlüsselthemen behandelt: psychische Gesundheit, internationale Gesundheitspartnerschaften, die Entwicklung von Gesundheitspersonal sowie psychische Gesundheitsversorgung. Ich bin Deutschland dankbar für die Unterstützung dieser Erklärung. Die Liste der Unterzeichnerstaaten wird immer länger. Heute unterzeichnen wir eine gemeinsame Erklärung, die unsere Zusammenarbeit weiter vertiefen und ihre Kernbereiche festlegen wird: öffentliche Gesundheit, Bekämpfung übertragbarer und nicht-übertragbarer Krankheiten, Rehabilitation, psychische Gesundheit, Fortbildung von Fachkräften sowie Modernisierung der Gesundheitssysteme.
Closer cooperation between Ukraine and Germany in the area of health is to include support for the following:
- exchange of experts and professionals for training measures,
- exchange of expertise regarding organisation, structure and reforms in the field of health
- and contacts among national health agencies, foundations and healthcare institutions.
Health Minister Prof. Karl Lauterbach, Victor Liashko and Development Minister Svenja Schulze on the aid for Ukraine.
Click on the button to reload the content.