A hospital in Kiev, Ukraine, remains closed after being hit by a missile attack. More than 6,400 Ukrainians received necessary treatment abroad with WHO support Humanitarian Aid
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, more than 6,400 Ukrainians have received life-saving treatment abroad as part of the medical evacuation program. The initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in cooperation with the European Union and the governments of partner countries with technical and operational support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“War daily creates new challenges for the Ukrainian healthcare system. Many patients require long-term treatment and rehabilitation,” noted the WHO representative in the country, Dr. Jarno Habicht.
Medical evacuation provides access to specialized care – including treatment of severe injuries, cancer, burns, rehabilitation and prosthetics – in cases where such services are unavailable or limited in the territory of Ukraine due to war. Initially created as an emergency measure, the program has evolved over time into a long-term mechanism of international support. It not only allows patients to be evacuated abroad in safe conditions, but also helps strengthen the Ukrainian healthcare system.
Timely care
According to Ukrainian health authorities, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the EU, WHO and partner countries, patients receive timely care in 33 countries world. As of the beginning of 2026, more than 6,400 patients received free, high-quality treatment abroad. Almost 4 thousand of them have already returned to their homeland and continue rehabilitation in local medical institutions.
Behind the dry numbers there are real destinies. Victoria from Konstantinovka, Donetsk region, went to Norway for a complex operation after being seriously wounded. “Ukrainian doctors saved my arm, but the muscles were seriously damaged. The operation had to be done abroad,” she said.
Medical evacuation is carried out through specialized hospital hubs and is carried out almost daily, providing continuous support to Ukrainians in need of specialized care. Igor Pereginets, Director for Health and Emergencies at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, emphasized that the program has demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation even in war conditions.