Ukraine and Türkiye join forces in advancing medical cooperation
Photo: Ministry of Health
The Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko met with the Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Türkiye Huzayfe Yılmaz as part of a working visit to Türkiye.
Ukraine's Ministry of Health reported this.
At the meeting, the attendees talked about potential collaboration in the healthcare sector, Ukraine's participation in public-private partnerships, and the growth of medical partnerships between our countries. Additionally, the Ukrainian Health Minister learned about the operations of a top hospital in Türkiye, the Başakşehir Jam and Sakura City Hospital.
"Today, the Ukrainian medical system is experiencing unprecedented trials due to a full-scale war. However, our heroic medics continue to perform their duties under any conditions, saving lives and providing assistance to the injured. We continue to work both on the restoration of the medical infrastructure and on the development of the medical system. The help and support of international partners is very important for this. We value opportunities for cooperation that allow us to bring the latest medical technologies to Ukraine, exchange experience and knowledge between doctors from different countries.
Türkiye has been actively helping and supporting Ukraine in the international arena since the first days of the full-scale war. In addition, the Ministry of Health of Türkiye provides numerous humanitarian aid, in particular, medical equipment and medicines. We are grateful to our partners. I am sure that our cooperation will continue and become even stronger," Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, stressed.
Photo: Ministry of Health
- rehabilitation – cooperation in the field of prosthetics and rehabilitation of the injured, exchange of experience and technologies to improve the quality of life of the injured. Ukraine invites Turkish specialists to join rehabilitation programs. Another important issue is the possibility of accepting Ukrainian servicemen for rehabilitation in Turkish hospitals and, in particular, in the Basaksehir Jam and Sakura City Hospital.
- public-private partnership (PPP) – Ukraine is interested in attracting financial, personnel and management investments of the private sector in the modernization of medicine and in attracting Turkish experience in the implementation of PPP in the medical field. In particular, the example of the PPP project based on the Başakşehir Jam and Sakura City Hospital will be useful for the implementation of the public-private partnership initiative in Ukraine.
- exchange of experience – training of Ukrainian specialists in Türkiye, improvement of the qualifications of Ukrainian doctors through internships in leading Turkish medical institutions and conducting joint scientific research. At the same time, Ukraine's experience in responding to emergency situations, forming a sustainable health care system in the conditions of wars and disasters, etc., will be useful for Türkiye.
- international medical partnership – support and development at the state level of cooperation between Ukrainian and Turkish medical institutions. The goals of cooperation are the exchange of best medical practices and experience in improving the qualifications of medical workers, joint research and innovation, and the introduction of the latest technologies.
Photo: Ministry of Health
It is worth mentioning that the "Ajibadem Altunizade" Clinic and the Regional Medical Center for Family Health in the city of Dnipro officially signed a Memorandum for international medical partnership on January 13, 2024. These medical institutions are currently collaborating in the fields of plastic reconstructive surgery and maxillofacial surgery. The exchange of knowledge and expertise between the hospitals had already begun prior to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. As a result, in 2023, a group of Ukrainian and Turkish specialists successfully operated on over 60 children with complex developmental disabilities and maxillofacial diseases. So far in 2024, 56 more children have received treatment through this partnership.
- development of the legal framework – the possibility of preparing and signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of Türkiye. The memorandum will be a continuation of the intergovernmental agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on cooperation in the field of health care and medical science dated May 21, 1998.
Also during the meeting, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, got acquainted with the work of the departments of the leading Turkish hospital – "Başakşehir Jam and Sakura City Hospital", in particular, with the departments of rehabilitation and psychological assistance, high-tech and innovative departments.
Photo: Ministry of Health
During the visit, the parties discussed future opportunities for collaboration between Turkish and Ukrainian institutions. Agreements were made to finalize a deal on international medical partnership between Başakşehir Jam and Sakura City Hospital, and a Ukrainian medical facility to work together in treating burns. A suitable hospital in Ukraine will be chosen soon.
Minister of Health of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Minister of the Republic of Türkiye for the meeting and discussion of priority areas of development for the Ukrainian medical industry. The Ministry defines the importance of such interaction and expresses its gratitude for support and further cooperation. The minister also invited representatives of the Turkish side to visit Ukraine and get acquainted with the work of the Ukrainian health care system despite the challenges of a full-scale war.
