Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has devastated healthcare infrastructure, interrupted delivery of routine health services, and increased the need for mental health support and physical rehabilitation. As the war has dragged on, the impact on the healthcare sector has increased. By the end of December 2024, 1,603 healthcare facilities had been destroyed or damaged (16.2 percent of total facilities), according to RDNA4. Total damage to the healthcare sector was $1.56 billion.

The cost of reconstruction and recovery, including provision for improved designs and service delivery models, is estimated to be $19.4 billion for 2025 to 2034.

Despite all challenges, the health care system continues to function and additional support for this sector is crucial for the recovery of Ukraine and development of its human capital. Contribution to Health Enhancement and Lifesaving project will help to strengthen healthcare system resilience and to sustain effects of all Swiss supported health interventions.

Following phase 1 of the project, phase 2 will enable the scale-up of mental health and physical rehabilitation services in the community, at the PHC level, and through a new outpatient delivery platform, restore capacity of hospitals to provide essential hospital services, and increase capacity of key health institutions. As a result, over the long term, this will contribute to decreasing morbidity and health-related mortality and improve well-being in Ukraine.

The key challenge ahead is the continued healthcare system transformation and increased budgeting with additional health services while simultaneously addressing the consequences of the ongoing war and ensuring sustainable health financing.

• All residents of Ukraine who use preventive and curative health services, especially affected by the war, at risk of NCDs, and young children.

• Ministry of Health of Ukraine, National Health Service of Ukraine.

• Hospital networks, primary and secondary level healthcare service providers, healthcare managers.

• CSOs / professional associations.

Objective 1. Mental health and rehabilitation services: supporting the introduction of a new health package for mental health and meeting the increased demand for physical rehabilitation services.

Objective 2. Primary health care (PHC): improving access and utilization of PHC services disrupted by the war, especially immunization, check-ups (screening), and access to affordable medicines.

Objective 3. Hospital care: restoring and modernizing selected hospitals (based on hospital efficiency masterplan).

Objective 4. Capacity-building, digitalization, and innovation: supporting key health sector institutions, strengthening ongoing digitalization efforts, and encouraging innovation.

Expected Results:  

Output 1.1: Scale-up of mental health and physical rehabilitation services

Output 1.2: Preparing for scaled delivery of mental health and physical rehabilitation care

Output 2.1: Restoring and improving delivery of essential primary health care services.

Output 2.2: Recovery of the primary health care network

Output 3: Preparing for hospital reconstruction and renovation

Output 4.1: Digital development and innovations

Output 4.2: Strengthening of institutions

Results from previous phase:  

• More than 624,000 people have received mental health services.

• More than 670,000 people completed a course of rehabilitation services.

• More than 5.5 million people were provided subsidized medicines under the Affordable Medicines Program (AMP).

• Nearly 4,000 PHC professionals were trained in providing care for survivors of gender-based violence.

• 60 mental health safe spaces were being created in primary healthcare settings, along with 8 rehabilitation departments

• More than 3,000 pieces of rehabilitation equipment have been delivered to 194 healthcare facilities in 22 oblasts.

• To overcome institutional capacity constraints at the Ministry of Health and National Health Service of Ukraine recruitment of additional coordinators and consultants is needed.

• Civil society engagement is important for enhancing health service coverage and establishing effective feedback mechanisms from beneficiary communities.