France will provide 12 million euros in urgent healthcare funding for Ukraine, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health announced on 17 November.
Ukraine’s Minister of Health Viktor Liashko discussed priorities for the aid with France’s Special Representative for Assistance and Recovery of Ukraine Pierre Elbron, the ministry reported.
“I thank the government and people of France for their constant comprehensive support of Ukraine. Through joint efforts, we work to ensure the Ukrainian medical system continues demonstrating resilience and potential for development despite all the challenges of full-scale war,” Liashko stated.
The ministry stated that the €12 million allocated for urgent healthcare support in 2024 will be used to finance mental health projects, enhance cancer diagnostics, rebuild medical facilities in Chernihiv Oblast, and establish a special fund for procuring equipment to address immediate needs.
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Furthermore, discussions included plans to expand the international medical partnership program that was launched in September. Currently, ten French hospitals have already established partnerships with Ukrainian facilities in Kyiv, Lviv, and Ternopil, and more partnerships are expected to be formed soon.
Liashko and Elbron also discussed the involvement of French agencies in establishing Ukraine’s new independent state body for regulating pharmaceuticals and medical devices. An Advisory Council comprising specialists from Ukraine and abroad will ensure transparency.
The ministry also reported that the officials reviewed the progress of intergovernmental agreements for procuring 30 modern mammography units and constructing modular hospital departments for emergency care. Both deals are in the final stages of approval.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 1301 attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities and services since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine, reported on 7 November.
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