Lithuania and Ukraine — standing shoulder to shoulder in strengthening the resilience of health systems against threats
This week, Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, together with an official delegation, visited Ukraine, where she and Ukraine’s Minister of Health Viktor Liashko discussed ongoing and newly planned joint health projects. The visit gave new momentum to bilateral cooperation that helps strengthen the health systems of both countries.
“Lithuania and Ukraine are united not only by historical closeness but also by shared experience — how to strengthen healthcare even under the most difficult circumstances. Lithuania will continue to firmly support the people and medical professionals of Ukraine, who defend life and hope every day,” said Minister Marija Jakubauskienė.
This year, six teams of Lithuanian healthcare professionals completed internships in Ukraine. Leaders of hospitals and agencies responsible for emergency management also visited the country. The delegation led by the Minister of Health visited hospitals where Lithuanian volunteer doctors are gaining experience and agreed with their Ukrainian partners to continue cooperation, joint projects, and the exchange of experience in strengthening the resilience of both Lithuania and Ukraine to various threats.
The Lithuanian delegation, consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Health, heads of major hospitals, and the coordinator of the non-governmental organization “Blue/Yellow,” together with Ukraine’s Minister of Health V. Liashko and Lithuania’s Ambassador to Ukraine Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, visited the “Superhumans Dnipro” center, which provides modern prosthetics and rehabilitation services as well as psychological support for injured soldiers and civilians.
The Minister also visited Kharkiv, where, despite the ongoing war, hospitals are being renovated, new surgery and rehabilitation departments are being established, modern equipment is being installed, and an underground hospital project is being developed, which will make it possible to continue saving lives even under extreme conditions.
“The Ukrainian healthcare system demonstrates extraordinary resilience. We see that even in wartime conditions, dedicated, professional, and forward-looking people are working here. Lithuania is ready to continue close cooperation and to help Ukraine restore and modernize its health sector,” emphasized Minister M. Jakubauskienė.
