Supporting the Medical Education Development in Ukraine (MED)

The escalation of hostilities in Ukraine in 2022 triggered a significant health emergency: the war has reduced access to healthcare services and medicines; many healthcare facilities were damaged, and a large number of health workers have left the country or became IDPs. 

Despite these challenges, the national health system is still functioning and provides health services to millions of Ukrainians. This is mainly due to the strong commitment of the Ministry of Health and the longterm support to sectoral reforms of key donors such as SDC. For WHO, “investments in the health sector are an integral part of both the emergency response and developmental support towards the country’s recovery. Health system recovery cannot wait to start until the war is over.” As part of the Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan, WHO, USAID, the WB and the EU emphasize that despite ongoing security, humanitarian and economic challenges, the Government of Ukraine and its partners should implement emergency actions to stabilize the system while planning for longer-term recovery and rebuilding back better, to address the long lasting consequences of the conflict.  

Ukraine faces a flagrant shortage of healthcare staff, a structural challenge which has been further exacerbated by the current crisis. Medical curricula need revision, educators better teaching skills and a more scientific and evidence-based approach, while the vast potential of nurses remains largely untapped. The medical education reform started in 2017, under the strong leadership of the MoH and with the support of WHO and SDC, through the Medical Education project. The project will improve the clinical, technical and communication skills of primary healthcare staff.  

Quality of healthcare, especially at the primary care level, is improved thanks to better medical and managerial education.  

(Primary healthcare providers are more competent, motivated for professional development and for the provision of patient-focused and safe healthcare services and for the response to public health emergencies during and after the long-lasting consequences of war; the project aim, dedicated to the mid-long term human development capacity and resilience, adequately complement the more emergency and humanitarian operation of SDC and other donors, addressing immediate needs of health structures under huge pressure.) 

Direct beneficiaries: medical students, teaching and managerial staff of medical and nursing schools, primary healthcare providers, family doctors and nurses, interns/medical doctors. 

Indirect beneficiaries: Ministry of Health with affiliated entities, Academy of the National Health Service of Ukraine, National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, medical training institutions, teachers and tutors, professional associations and local family doctors networks, population of Ukraine. 

Outcome 1: Capacities and capabilities of higher education institutions (training family doctors, family nurses, managers) are improved and assure student-oriented education of higher quality.

Outcome 2: PHC personnel have improved competencies and enhanced teamwork capabilities and thus users have more trust and satisfaction, are able to efficiently customize their professional services in the (post) war challenges.  

Outcome 3: An enabling policy development and work environment for enhanced medical education and human resources for health is established. Educators, practitioners, and policy-makers form a learning community, adapt good international practices and incorporate best practice to address the social challenges of an aging and more vulnerable population facing a large scale crisis.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• At policy level: at least seven policies, strategies or regulatory documents related to medical education elaborated with the project support.
• At institutional level: national and regional medical education institutions strengthened capacities.
• At institutional level: 1’500 medical students/year benefitting from an improved under-graduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education system.
• Annually, 800 nurse students of medical academies benefitting from improved nurse education taking into account the increased socio-economic vulnerabilities. Annually, over 200 residents (medical doctors) enrolled in the 2 years family medicine specialisation program are improving their professional skills.
• Over 2000 family doctors and nurses working at primary health care level annually benefitting from improved continuing medical education.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

• Improvement of clinical skills through 6 simulation based training centres.  
• Enhanced education competencies and strenthened research capabilities of educators.  
• Created Empathy and Humanity in healthcare guide for changing doctor-patient relationship. 
• Upgrading management and administration of medical education institutions for an effective and transparent functioning and development.
• Establisment of 73 peer groups / 700 members for continuing professional development.  
• Introducing new models of nurse practicioners in primary care. 
• Better governance in healthcare through improved education for healthcare managers. 
• Contribution to policy-making with evidence.