Ukrainian Alliance for Medical Exchange and Development

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, affecting millions. Tens to hundreds of thousands have been killed or injured, while millions have been displaced, internally and externally. Critical infrastructure, including essential healthcare services, has been severely strained and deliberately targeted, compounding the immense medical and humanitarian needs.

Ukraine’s healthcare system was ill-equipped to meet the demands of a full-scale war with Russia. Many hospitals relied on outdated Soviet-era equipment, and despite efforts over the preceding decade to modernize healthcare practices, many standards and protocols remained outdated. The sheer volume and complexity of public health challenges affecting both civilian and military sectors have further intensified the crisis.

In response, numerous NGOs, hospitals, and academic institutions from North America and Europe mobilized to provide vital material aid, education, and training. To streamline and amplify efforts for the education and training of Ukrainian healthcare providers both inside and outside the theater of war, we are establishing a Ukrainian Alliance for Medical Exchange and Development (UA-MED). Members of the UA-MED coalition provide critical education and training directly within Ukraine. However, the exposure of Ukrainian clinicians and health scientists to the best medical and surgical practices in North America and Europe is critical to strengthen and further modernize the country’s healthcare system during this critical time.

Observerships, training programs, conferences, and educational opportunities for Ukrainian clinicians and health scientists abroad (1) enhance clinical, educational, and research skills, (2) expose learners to efficient and effective healthcare system operations, and (3) foster meaningful and collaborative relationships far beyond the training. Importantly, these exchanges are mutually enriching: Ukrainian clinicians and health scientists gain new knowledge and perspectives, and hosting physicians learn from their partner’s experience, resilience, and ingenuity. These experiences are invaluable.

The UA-MED coalition serves as an umbrella initiative to grow the scope and impact of the above programs by:

1. Consolidating resources and initiatives across institutions and organizations.
2. Developing and sharing tailored educational programs for Ukrainian clinicians and scientists across coalition sites (e.g., collaborative joint programs with multiple site experiences for an applicant).
3. Systematically and uniformly assessing the best practices and impacts of such programs on individual, institutional, and national levels.
4. Growing the power to secure funding for such programs for coalition members.
5. Synergizing the messaging about the importance and impact of the member programs through joint peer-reviewed publications, as well as scientific and advocacy presentations at conferences and in the media.

Thus, UA-MED’s mission is to coordinate and enhance the efforts of groups and individuals working to support Ukraine’s healthcare system while driving reform and modernization tailored to Ukraine’s unique social, cultural and healthcare system needs. Moreover, UA-MED seeks to foster long-term relationships that promote impactful global health initiatives in Ukraine and as a replicable model for addressing healthcare challenges in conflict and disaster zones worldwide. Capturing and sharing the lessons learned from these mutually enriching exchanges is also a key priority. As such, we aim to document and share the outcomes of these collaborative efforts through peer-reviewed publications and also presentations at national and international conferences. While the war in Ukraine is the stimulus for this Alliance, UA-MED’s vision includes creating a lasting impact on individuals, institutions, and organizations locally and globally.