Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukraine’s healthcare system, under immense strain from the ongoing war with Russia, is simultaneously undergoing critical reforms aimed at aligning with European Union (EU) standards. According to a senior official from the World Health Organization (WHO), these efforts are positioning Ukraine to meet key EU regulations, even as the country grapples with daily attacks on its health facilities.

Jarno Habicht, head of the WHO office in Ukraine, highlighted the country’s dual challenge of addressing immediate healthcare needs while preparing for future EU membership talks. “Ukraine is responding every day,” Habicht said in an interview with Euronews. “Ambulances are supporting civilians, but there is also the challenge of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure.”

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, attacks on healthcare facilities have increased sharply, with nearly daily incidents reported since December 2023. Despite these challenges, Ukraine is continuing to push forward with health sector reforms initiated before the conflict. Habicht noted that these reforms are critical as Ukraine harmonizes its public health legislative framework with EU standards, a key step in the country’s eventual accession process.

Aligning Healthcare with EU Regulations

While healthcare policy largely remains under the control of individual EU member states, certain areas—such as cross-border patient movement—require greater alignment. Habicht emphasized the importance of harmonizing regulations to ensure consistency in healthcare for Ukrainians, both within the country and in neighboring EU states where many have sought care due to the war.

Several national health frameworks will need to be adjusted to EU law, including regulations on water quality, cosmetics, chemicals, and rules governing tobacco and alcohol. One critical area of focus is the pharmaceutical sector. Ukraine, once home to one of the largest drug manufacturing industries in Central and Eastern Europe, has seen a significant portion of its industry devastated by the conflict. Harmonizing drug manufacturing standards, regulatory practices, and marketing authorizations with EU guidelines will be essential as the country rebuilds.

In July 2022, Kyiv adopted a new law regulating pharmaceutical products, which aims to prepare the sector for alignment with EU standards. This, according to Habicht, is a key step in Ukraine’s path to EU membership. “Ukraine’s reform efforts and the required harmonization with EU legislation basically go in the same direction,” he said.

Health System Under Siege

Since the war began, the WHO has recorded 1,940 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine, the highest number in any humanitarian crisis to date. In addition to direct strikes on hospitals and clinics, critical infrastructure such as energy systems has been severely impacted. Russia’s large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s power grid have left millions without reliable access to electricity, heating, and water—further complicating the delivery of essential healthcare services.

Habicht warned that as winter approaches, the situation could worsen. “The latest estimate shows the average Ukrainian household is without electricity for six hours a day,” he said. This lack of power is not only affecting healthcare facilities but also schools, businesses, and homes across 20 of Ukraine’s 24 regions.

The war has also exacerbated poverty, with the national poverty rate rising from 7% to 25%. Many Ukrainians are now struggling to afford basic necessities, including medicine. Humanitarian organizations, supported by the WHO, are working to provide free medicines to approximately 12% of unemployed individuals in frontline areas.

Despite the dire circumstances, Ukraine continues its efforts to reform and rebuild, with its sights set on future integration with the EU.

Berlin, Germany – A coalition of European countries and non-profit organizations has committed $700 million (€627.4 million) to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support its efforts in tackling global health challenges. The announcement was made at the World Health Summit in Berlin, as the WHO pushes for more financial flexibility in how it allocates its resources.

This new funding, combined with an earlier pledge of $300 million (€268.9 million) from the European Union and the African Union, brings the total contribution to $1 billion (€896.3 million). The funds will be used by the WHO to combat preventable diseases and target 40 million preventable deaths over the next four years.

Germany emerged as the largest contributor, pledging nearly $400 million (€358.5 million), including $262.6 million (€234.8 million) in new money. Other European countries, including Norway, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Ireland, also made significant contributions. These funds are seen as crucial in providing the WHO with the financial stability it needs to respond to global health crises and long-term health challenges.

WHO’s Push for Flexible Funding

Historically, the WHO’s funding has come from a mix of member state contributions and voluntary donations from governments and non-profits. Much of this money is earmarked for specific health programs, limiting the organization’s ability to allocate resources as needed. This has made it difficult for the WHO to retain staff, plan long-term initiatives, or pivot quickly in the face of emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

To address these challenges, countries agreed in 2022 to increase their membership dues to cover 50% of the WHO’s core budget by 2030, up from just 13% in 2022. This move aims to ensure the organization has a more predictable and flexible financial foundation.

At the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of this shift. “The WHO’s work benefits us all. What it needs for this work is sustainable financing that gives it the certainty to plan ahead and the flexibility to react,” he said.

European Support for Global Health

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the WHO as the world’s “collective first line of defence against health crises and inequalities.” She highlighted the EU’s €250 million investment announced earlier this year to address global health issues, including mpox, cholera, and the Marburg virus. Additionally, von der Leyen committed over €75 million to support the WHO’s mRNA technology hub in South Africa, which aims to boost vaccine production in low- and middle-income countries.

Non-Profits and Pharmaceutical Companies Join the Effort

Several global health non-profits, including Wellcome, Resolve to Save Lives, and the World Diabetes Foundation, pledged more than $130 million (€116.5 million) to support the WHO. Pharmaceutical companies Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Novo Nordisk also committed to backing the organization’s efforts.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed gratitude for the contributions but acknowledged the challenging financial environment. “We know that we are making this ask at a time of competing priorities and limited resources,” he said, adding, “every contribution counts.”

The WHO is expected to seek further commitments during the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil, as it continues to bolster its financial capacity to address global health threats.