Kyiv, 1 March 2024 — The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, distributed six specialized vehicles to health care institutions with the condition of providing palliative care packages.

Each target community received one such vehicle to visit the patients. The initiative was designed to facilitate access to palliative care for patients and their families by providing them with comfortable and safe transportation to medical facilities. This step will improve the quality of life of people needing palliative care and the availability of this essential medical service for those who require it most, especially in remote areas.

These vehicles are equipped with lifts for patients with limited mobility, as well as with wheelchairs and other assistive equipment. The allocation of six palliative care vehicles is crucial for enhancing the accessibility of high-quality public services, including health care.

Mariia Karchevych, Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalization, expressed her gratitude to the international partners for their reliable support. “This initiative is a significant step in developing Ukraine’s health care system, particularly in the field of palliative care,” she said. “These vehicles will allow us to deliver more accessible, timely and high-quality care to patients in challenging life circumstances. We thank the EU and UNDP for their support, which is helping us to implement important projects that directly affect the health and well-being of the Ukrainian people.”

Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stressed the significance of collaborative efforts and the EU’s consistent support for Ukraine. “In the face of challenges, the European Union has launched a comprehensive response to ensure that the people of Ukraine have access to essential services, including health care,” he said. “Provision of palliative care vehicles is a step forward in our global commitment to enhancing health care accessibility and quality for vulnerable populations, particularly in areas affected by war.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, highlighted the crucial necessity of improving health care, a fundamental human right, particularly under threat from the ongoing war. “Today, thanks to generous support from the European Union and in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine, UNDP is proud to contribute towards strengthening Ukraine’s social infrastructure,” he said. “This initiative is only a part of our broader effort, demonstrating UNDP’s dedication to ensuring equal access to health care services for all and improving the lives of those in need.”

Background

The palliative care vehicles were procured and equipped by UNDP in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union, and were provided as part of the “EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine” (EU4Recovery) project. The vehicles were transferred to six communities: Nizhyn, Сhernihiv Oblast; Konotop and Romny, Sumy Oblast; Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; Myrhorod, Poltava Oblast; and Nova Vodolaha, Kharkiv Oblast.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org