Lunch symposium: Reimagining public health services in Ukraine: leadership and action for change amid the war  

Thursday 14 November, 12:55 – 13:55 (Lisbon time) 

Organised by:

USAID 'Public Health System Recovery & Resilience Activity', Pact, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) and European Institute of Public Health Policy (EIPHP), in collaboration with the WHO Ukraine and regional centers for disease control and prevention of Ukraine

Background

The session aims to provide an overview of the public health situation during the full-scale war in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the unique challenges the country faces in ensuring the health of the population, the measures already being taken to respond to the challenges as well as the priorities set for the post-war recovery.

Invited speakers will cover the issues related to the key problems Ukraine faces during the war, including mental health challenges, low priority of health and self-care among the population facing urgent security, financial and other threats, growing problem of late-stage chronic diseases and lack of access to their proper treatment, low immunization coverage, including among vulnerable groups such as IDPs, as well as catastrophic impact of the war on the environment and the resulting deterioration in the health of the population. In addition, Ukraine’s public health system emergency preparedness and response capacities will be discussed. The session will also highlight key multisectoral efforts taken by a range of national and international partners to address and respond to the war-related public health challenges as well as the overall public health system strengthening efforts implemented so far and prioritized for post-war recovery.

The session will include 4 presentations 10-15 mins each with 15-20 mins for Q&A and discussion.

Programme

Session moderator: Dr. Anastasiya Dumcheva, senior consultant on public health and NCDs, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH); medical doctor from Ukraine, MA in epidemiology, international health, and laws, currently pursuing PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health at Tampere University, Finland

Presentations (in order):

From deprioritization of health needs to the effects of war for mental health, environmental health and other areas: key public health challenges amid the war in Ukraine and efforts to address them - Olha Kostetska, Public Health Lead at USAID 'Public Health Resilience & Recovery Activity', Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine

Addressing low immunization coverage in Ukraine with special focus on IDPs and other vulnerable population groups as well as other war-specific challenges in immunization - Dr. Kateryna Denysenko, Immunization Specialist at USAID 'Public Health Resilience & Recovery Activity', Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine

Threats related to infectious disease outbreaks during the war in Ukraine and the efforts to tackle them - Karolina Shymulo, Infectious Disease Specialist, Lviv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ukraine

Strengthening Ukraine’s public health emergency preparedness and response capacities for the development of resilient and sustainable public health system - Dr. Nataliya Piven, Unit Lead on Public Health and IHR / Preparedness, WHO Ukraine

Registration

Registration is not required. Delegates who are registered for the main EPH Conference can attend free of charge. Get your lunch in the Exhibiton / Catering Area, walk in and join the session.