EU and WHO joining forces to further strengthen Medevac operations in Ukraine

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has had devastating consequences for the health care system. Keeping essential and resilient health services up and running in the country is a herculean task. Despite the heroic efforts of health care staff treating patients close to the frontline, those in need of specialised treatment have to be treated in more centrally located hospitals, or in some cases, outside of Ukraine itself.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Health co-ordinates Medevac operations, which involve hundreds of daily patient transfers inside the country and dozens of cross-border transfers each week. This includes the European Union medical evacuation pathway which has been running since the full-scale invasion began. Thanks to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, more than 2350 Ukrainian patients have been transferred to hospitals in 21 European countries. The patients suffer from severe war wounds or conditions that cannot currently be easily treated inside Ukraine, such as specialised cancer treatments and rehabilitation support. Over 370 patients have requested and been supported to return to Ukraine once the acute phase of their treatment has ended.

On June 22, the WHO European Regional Office in Copenhagen hosted the launch of an 18-month project funded by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) entitled Strengthening Ukraine Ministry of Health accountability Framework for medical evacuation- and Repatriation systems and services. The project will help the Ukrainian Ministry of Health to further develop and formalise the procedures of their dedicated Medevac Coordination Unit, particularly the new efforts being made to ensure the safe return of patients who have finalised their acute treatment abroad and wish to continue their rehabilitation in their home country.

The new project will provide technical and resource support to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, the Medevac Coordination Unit and the Emergency Medical Services. Targeted expertise and specialist service support include Burns Care, Multidisciplinary War Trauma Surgical Care and Critical Care Patient Transfers and Rehabilitation inside Ukraine, which will strengthen the trauma care systems and pathways.

Healthcare staff in Ukraine will also benefit from training including shoulder to shoulder and bedside teaching approaches, which will strengthen their ability to manage complex healthcare cases in Ukraine.

“Medical evacuations are an essential part of the European Union’s emergency support to Ukraine. Russia’s full-scale invasion leaves military and civilians heavily wounded while also ruining healthcare infrastructure. In coordination with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, our new project will further help alleviate the pressure on Ukraine’s healthcare system, helping evacuated patients to return and integrate into national rehabilitation schemes, while also supporting provision of the best possible care for patients.” – commented Peter M.Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.

The event also served as the first steering committee meeting that is working collaboratively with all stakeholders involved in Medevac and repatriation activities managed by the Ministry of Health Medevac Co-ordination. The meeting was attended by representatives from all implementing partners and institutions to present their roles in the project and strengthen working relationships to ensuring successful implementation of the activities.

“Medevac remains an essential component of the humanitarian effort to meet the health needs of patients who cannot be treated inside Ukraine at this moment,” explained Dr Gerald Rockenschaub, WHO European Region Emergency Director.

“Safe transfer of patients across borders requires all partners to work together effectively and efficiently to ensure that people can get the life-saving treatment they desperately need. We welcome this opportunity to build on our relationship with our partners, both in the European Union and other institutions.”