Federal Minister of Health Prof. Karl Lauterbach: “Russia’s criminal war of aggression against Ukraine is particularly affecting the country’s health care system. More than 1,500 attacks on health facilities and medical personnel have been documented since the beginning of the war. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, the federal government has provided Ukraine with support worth EUR 28 billion, including for the healthcare system. And Germany has already taken in more than 900 injured people and treated them here. The Ukrainian healthcare system is functioning despite the targeted attacks and I would like to thank my counterpart, Viktor Liashko, for his tireless commitment to the well-being of the Ukrainian population and for the strong relations with Germany. Germany also stands closely with Ukraine in the upcoming reform of the healthcare system. With this agreement, we are jointly providing new impetus for increased cooperation, especially with a view to Ukraine’s desired EU accession.”
The Minister of Health of Ukraine, Dr. Viktor Liashko: “The Covid-19 pandemic, and particularly this large-scale war, has shown us clearly the importance of international medical partnerships. After all, no health system can tackle such challenges alone. We rely on global collaboration. At the third First Ladies and Gentlemen Summit last fall, 16 health ministers endorsed a joint statement that addressed four key issues: mental health, international health partnerships, health workforce development and mental health care. I am grateful to Germany for supporting this declaration. The list of signatory states is getting longer and longer. “Today we are signing a joint declaration that will further deepen our cooperation and define its core areas: public health, combating communicable and non-communicable diseases, rehabilitation, mental health, training of professionals and modernization of health systems.”