The 2024–2030 WHO Country Cooperation Strategy in Ukraine was jointly developed by the Government of Ukraine and WHO. It provides a vision for how the health system will be improved and sets expectations from WHO in the coming years, taking into account the effects of the ongoing war and other challenges.
According to the WHO, a Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) is “WHO’s strategic framework to guide our work in and with a country. It responds to that country’s national health and development agenda and identifies a set of agreed joint priorities for WHO collaboration, with a focus on areas where the Organization (WHO) has a comparative advantage in order to assure public health impact… The timeframe is flexible to align with national planning cycles. It is generally 4–6 years.”
2024–2030 WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for Ukraine (the Strategy) was published following a joint planning session where the parties also agreed on the key focus areas for 2024. As announced by WHO-Europe, this Strategy outlines WHO’s commitment to support Ukraine in its efforts to reform the health system, emphasizing the need for investment in health-care infrastructure, workforce development, and the implementation of reforms to align with EU standards and achieve health for all. Through this Strategy, WHO aims to maximize healthy life expectancy for all people living in Ukraine, nurturing well-being, community resilience and social cohesion. As WHO explains, “Ukraine faces the dual challenges of recovery from the pandemic and rebuilding in the wake of an ongoing war, the Strategy serves as a beacon of hope. It underscores the international community’s support for Ukraine’s journey towards a healthier future and the shared commitment to ensuring that every person in Ukraine has the opportunity to live a longer, healthier life.”
Strategic priorities outlined in the document align with the National Health Strategy 2030 and include the following:
- Strategic Priority 1. Access to universal quality health services for all, regardless of ability to pay: Ensure universal access to quality health services in Ukraine. This priority includes supporting emergency health care, primary care reform, health workforce development and the development of an integrated health service package supported by robust health financing reforms.
- Strategic Priority 2. Prevention and reduction of major health risks: Mitigate health risks exacerbated by the war, address the significant NCD burden and communicable diseases, and invest in comprehensive health services, including vaccination programmes and environmental-health initiatives, with an emphasis on mental well-being, community empowerment, and climate-health co-benefits for Ukraine’s long-term recovery and societal well-being.
- Strategic Priority 3. Building robust institutions: Support health system reforms, enhance public health capabilities, and align with EU standards. This includes strengthening capacities for health emergency preparedness and response, policy implementation and governance, while emphasizing stakeholder engagement for a resilient health system.
