Ukraine: Strengthening the Healthcare System
February 2022: The Russian army occupies the small town of Trostyanets in the south of Sumy Oblast, 30 km from the Russian border. The hospital is shelled, there is no gas, electricity, or water. Many people flee at great risk to their lives. March 2024: Trostyanets is recaptured, and numerous residents return to the heavily damaged city, including doctors and nursing staff. Many of them are traumatized. But the work must go on, as in all healthcare facilities in Ukraine. We support those who keep the system running under immense challenges.
Bewältigung von Schmerz und Wut
Since 2022, medical staff across Ukraine have often been working at the risk of their own lives – and their mental health. According to the WHO, attacks on healthcare facilities even increased further from the end of 2023. In 2024, Malteser International (MI), together with local partner organizations, put a focus on strengthening the psychological resilience of medical staff – and thus the entire healthcare system.
Award-winning work
The “Doctor & War” program implemented by the MI‘s Ukrainian partner organization Mental Health Service (MHS) plays an important role here. In this program, doctors and nursing staff can learn acute psychological rehabilitation measures such as techniques for burnout prevention and coping with stress and anxiety. In 2024, the program’s activities focused on the Sumy Oblast, since Trostyanets and other cities here were once again hit particularly hard by the war. As of March 2024, the number of partially damaged healthcare facilities in the Sumy region had reached 32. Three medical facilities were destroyed completely. “At the moment, our doctors cannot take sick leave for mental health problems. Participation in the program enables medical staff to remain fit for work, prevents further mental health problems, and thus maintains patient care,” says Oksana Ivantsova, who is responsible for “Doctor & War” in Sumy Oblast at MHS.
Help that means more
As further support, MI works with partners to deliver medical supplies and provide training on evidence-based mental health techniques. In addition, Malteser Ukraine in particular offers courses in medical and psychological first aid. These courses are also important in the context of mental health: “First aid is not just knowledge, but a culture of mutual support. The ability and decision to help means choosing life,” says Pavlo Titko, Head of Malteser Ukraine.
“What we learned in the training sessions had a direct impact on my health. My feeling of heaviness disappeared, and I wanted to go to work again, which I love very much. I became more sociable and friendly. My sleep improved and I felt refreshed. I also teach my patients the stress management techniques I learned during the course.”
Vita, participant in “Doctor & War” and senior nurse at the Trostyanets Primary Medical Care Center (Photo: MHS/Malteser International)
