Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has been leading the implementation of a medical evacuation programme, in close cooperation with the European Union and partner governments, and with technical and operational support from WHO. The programme provides access to specialized treatment and rehabilitation abroad for Ukrainians who require medical care that is unavailable or limited in Ukraine due to the war.
Through the Ukraine Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) programme, patients requiring trauma treatment, oncology services, burn care, rehabilitation and prosthetic support have been able to access life-saving services abroad – care that would otherwise have been delayed or unavailable amid the disruption of war. The programme, which began as a rapid response to emergency needs brought on by the escalation of the war, has evolved into a scalable, sustainable system with a lasting impact on people’s lives. Not only is it delivering safe transfers to host countries, but it is also strengthening Ukraine’s health system from within.
Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine emphasized its importance for patients and the national health system. “The MEDEVAC Ukraine programme is an example of how international medical solidarity delivers tangible results. Through close cooperation with the European Union, the World Health Organization and the governments of partner countries, we have established clear logistics and ensured coordinated engagement among all actors involved. To date, around 6400 Ukrainians have received treatment in medical facilities across 33 countries worldwide. These include adults and children who sustained injuries and trauma as a result of the war. At the same time, we continue to expand the programme’s capacity to ensure that every patient in need of highly specialized care can access it.”
As of early 2026, over 6400 Ukrainian patients have received free, high-quality medical care under the programme in health facilities across 33 countries. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine coordinates requests for patients requiring treatment or further rehabilitation, after which partner countries determine their capacity to receive patients and the types of care they can provide. Part of the transportation and treatment fees under the medical evacuation programme are covered by the governments of receiving countries. Following medical evacuation, nearly 4000 patients have returned to Ukraine and continue to receive care within the national health system.
Highlighting the operational dimension of the programme and its broader significance, WHO/Europe’s Health Security and Regional Emergency Director, Ihor Perehinets, noted, “This programme has become a blueprint for what dignified, coordinated and accountable patient care looks like in times of crisis, showing the best example of localization of international humanitarian support. It demonstrates how, even under conflict conditions, the safe cross-border movement of critically ill patients can be maintained when national coordination is strong. WHO’s focus is on supporting Ukraine’s own systems, ensuring the MEDEVAC cycle functions reliably, utilizing strengthened national capabilities.”
As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the intensification of hostilities, growing energy insecurity and the cumulative impact of repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure continue to deepen the health crisis.
As WHO Representative in Ukraine, Dr Jarno Habicht, explains, “The war continues to create new challenges for Ukraine’s health system every day. Many patients require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. We are deeply grateful to our partners, the European Union and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, whose coordinated efforts have made it possible to safely evacuate thousands of patients for treatment to medical facilities across Europe and beyond.”
“Behind every evacuation is a person whose life has been profoundly disrupted by war. The European Union is proud to help provide safe transport and high-quality treatment across Europe, ensuring patients receive care with dignity and hope,” noted Marianna Franco, Head of the European Union Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine.
Behind the figures are individual stories of resilience and recovery. Viktoriia from Kostyantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, travelled to Norway for specialized surgery. “The doctors in Ukraine were able to save my arm, but the muscles were severely damaged and necrosis developed. The procedure needed to be done abroad. I now have metal pins in place to stabilize the bone,” Viktoriia says.
From the perspective of frontline medical professionals, the human dimension of these transfers is ever present. As Oleksandr Tolubaiev, Medical Director of the I.I. Mechnikov Hospital, describes, “A significant number of patients pass through our facility in preparation for medical evacuation, including people with severe facial injuries and complex bone trauma. The cases that stay with you the most are often those shaped by social circumstances, when a patient is brought to the hospital after being injured and there is no one left by their side. These are people who leave for treatment without knowing what lies ahead, how their lives will unfold or how they will return and adapt after everything they have been through.”
Medical evacuation is carried out through designated hospital hubs, which coordinate the process locally. Medical evacuations continue to be carried out on a regular basis, with patients escorted for treatment to medical facilities abroad on an almost daily basis. This cooperation ensures the continuity of support and assistance for Ukrainian patients requiring specialized care.