Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?
YesThe commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Policy
Operational plan
Legislation (e.g. Law, Regulation, Statutes, Rules of Procedure etc.)
At the International, Regional, National level
Explanation:
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine approved regulations that define the functional subsystems for ensuring sanitary and epidemiological well-being, as well as medical protection of the population. This includes tasks and levels for the Unified State Civil Protection System. The Ministry of Health also designated the State Institution “Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” as the National Coordinator for the International Health Regulations.
At the regional level, the Department of Health of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, together with the State Institution “Donetsk Regional Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” developed and approved a Strategy for the Development of Immunoprophylaxis and Protection of the Population from Preventable Infectious Diseases until 2030. Additionally, the mentioned bodies have prepared action plans for responding to measles outbreaks and comprehensive plans for preventing acute intestinal infections, including cholera.
Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?
YesPartner with:
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g. UN, NGOs etc.)
Academia
Other
Examples of cooperation:
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in collaboration with various NGOs and international organizations, has implemented a series of projects aimed at enhancing the healthcare infrastructure and response capabilities. International partners have included the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which has been providing necessary medications and diagnostic materials.
The Donetsk Regional State Administration has also collaborated with international partners, including the WHO Office, to implement commitments contained in the resolution.
Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?
YesWith challenges on:
Competing priorities
Lack of capacity and/or support (technical, financial, or other)
Other
Details about challenges:
The unpredictability and scope of pandemics present significant challenges. Massive destruction and damage to healthcare facilities and the loss of trained medical personnel as a result of indiscriminate attacks by the enemy Power in violation of IHL, as well as competing priorities accompanied by limited technical and financial support, further complicate the implementation of comprehensive measures.
Response to epidemiological threats emerged after the destruction of the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant
After the destruction of the dam of the Kakhovka HPP on 6 June 2023, there was a serious risk of an epidemic outbreak and water-borne diseases.
The emergency zone included 180 settlements in the Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv regions with a population of almost 900,000. Almost 700,000 people were left without access to drinking water and other critical supplies.
The Government of Ukraine implemented emergency response actions to prevent the epidemiological situation in the region from worsening. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine coordinated the response. 148,000 tons of drinking and technical water were delivered to the emergency zone to meet the needs of the population and to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases. Almost 3,800 people were evacuated. 716 people were rescued. About 119 tons of food and relief items were delivered to the residents of the flooded areas.
37 special epidemiological monitoring and control groups (270 specialists), 32 disinfection teams (120 specialists), and 3 mobile laboratories were deployed to the disaster zone.
The local population and medical workers had been reached with an information and awareness-raising campaign, including on how to prevent intestinal infections and disinfect drinking water. In coordination with water supply companies, measures had been taken to monitor the state of water supply networks for the spread of infections, and rapid response had been implemented for such cases. Alternative water supply mechanisms for the population have been provided.
Preventive measures and vaccinations of the evacuated population were carried out.
Three infectious disease centers were deployed to the affected areas to provide treatment to patients with suspected acute intestinal infections and cholera.
More than 12,500 samples were taken for research from centralized networks, and decentralized and alternative sources of water supply. 3,807 samples were taken from surface water bodies for research. Non-compliance with hygienic requirements was detected in 1414 cases. 237,114 tablets were provided to disinfect drinking water for critical infrastructure facilities and the population.
In such a critical situation, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, together with other government bodies, rescue services, and local authorities was successful in eliminating epidemiological threats and ensuring the safety of the population.
Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?
YesType of Impact:
Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened
Partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been created or enhanced
Details about the impact:
The commitments have guided the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in drafting strategy papers and operational plans, leading to improved coordination and cooperation among various stakeholders including NGOs, academia, and international organizations.
In part of the Donetsk region, controlled by the Government of Ukraine, the implementation of these commitments has led to strengthened public health policies and improved epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?
YesDescription of the impact:
Enhanced cooperation and strategic planning have positively impacted communities by improving healthcare services and response capabilities. Efforts include continuous empowerment of vulnerable groups and fostering an inclusive dialogue to promote protective behavior and access to healthcare services. Regional plans for infectious diseases address local needs adequately.
For example, in part of the Donetsk region, controlled by the Government of Ukraine, these measures have resulted in a stable epidemiological situation with no registered outbreaks of infectious diseases.