Eastern Europe Bureau of Report presents an interview with Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine, Chief Sanitary Doctor Viktor Liashko.
- How do you assess the current level of Ukraine-Azerbaijan relations in healthcare?
- Ties between our countries in the healthcare sector, just like in other areas, are at a high level. That’s because we are the closest friendly countries and strategic partners. This was also evident during the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the world over the past year. For example, in the early days of the pandemic, Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to lend a helping hand to Ukraine. Once again, we would like to thank friendly Azerbaijan for this. I believe that in the future, especially in the post-pandemic period, these ties will continue both in the technological field and in the field of training of specialists. This is one of our priorities.
- What kind of cooperation is between the two countries in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and in what directions can it develop?
- As I said above, in the early days of the pandemic, Azerbaijan became one of the first countries to provide us with humanitarian aid. In addition, we have the potential for collaboration on virus prevention or treatments. For example, in the field of treatment, we are open to exchange experience with Azerbaijan. The virus is widely spread, and we already have sufficient experience in treatment, new plans in connection with hospitals, including sufficient expert reserve to eliminate the virus. We, as a friendly country, are ready to share this with Azerbaijan. In particular, our experts are ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan to exchange experience. During the pandemic, we made progress in such issues as improving medications and using them in treatment, preventing infections, etc., and we are ready to share them.
- How is the vaccination process going in Ukraine? As we learned from the media, in your country it began a little later or has been going on for a little longer.
- You know, there are over 40 million people in Ukraine. We first clarify the budget, then the corresponding agreements are signed and after that the delivery of vaccines and their application on citizens begins. It takes some time. But we have already started this.
- By the way, in the early days of the pandemic, we expected that Ukraine, which has always maintained leadership in the field of medicine and drugs, will be one of the first countries to produce a vaccine...
- We will, and even have already started this. Work is underway on three options. By about September, we will complete the main stage of this work. The vaccine we produce must be highly effective. The work is underway in Lviv, Odesa and a number of other cities.
- Will it be ready by the end of this year? What will the Ukrainian vaccine be called?
- I cannot say about the name in advance. It won’t be ready this year, but I think next year it will.
- What kind of work is envisaged between Ukraine and Azerbaijan in the field of healthcare in the post-pandemic period?
- The post-pandemic period requires new challenges in the field of healthcare, as well as in other areas. Basically, in the post-pandemic period, we will give preference to the exchange of experience with friendly countries, including Azerbaijan. Exchange can take many forms.
- How does the ongoing war in the east of Ukraine affect the country’s healthcare sector? How many healthcare structures have been affected by this conflict?
- As you know, any war, aggression leads to grave consequences. In our country, this has led to dire consequences in healthcare. According to statistics, since the beginning of hostilities, one healthcare institution has been destroyed and seven have been damaged in the Donetsk region, one healthcare institution has also been destroyed and seven damaged in the Luhansk region. In the vast majority of healthcare institutions, restoration work has been carried out and they are operating normally.