Increased support for social and medical reforms in Ukraine

“Sweden is an unwavering partner to Ukraine and our support is long-term. This programme enables us to provide support that is based on actual needs, in areas such as health and medical care, social services, supply of pharmaceuticals and antibiotic resistance – and that strengthens reform efforts as well as Ukraine’s pathway to the EU,” says Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed. 

“Russia is continuing its attacks against civilian infrastructure, causing considerable hardship for the civilian population. The worst affected are those who are already vulnerable: children, people with disabilities and older people. By exchanging experiences and enhancing both capacity and know-how in areas such as social services, we’re sending a clear signal: Sweden is on the side of the Ukrainian people, for as long as it takes,” says Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall. 

“I’m proud that Sweden’s know-how and experience can offer inspiration for Ukraine’s care of older people. We have also learned some incredibly important lessons from Ukraine on how to prepare the Swedish system for care of older people for times of war and crisis,” says Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje. 

“Sweden is committed to continuing its long-term support to Ukraine. Through this programme we are strengthening the welfare system in Ukraine, providing protection for the most vulnerable groups in society and helping the country on its path towards EU membership,” says Fredrik Malm, foreign policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party.

Programme for inter-agency cooperation

The initiatives approved by Sida are based on the Government’s strategy for Sweden’s reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukraine 2023–2027 and the cooperation agreements which Sweden and Ukraine have entered into for areas such as health and medical care and social policy.

The decision will expand the remit of the support programme for Ukraine in the areas of social policy and health and medical care. The programme, which is running from 2025 through 2027, will provide support totalling SEK 129.5 million. 

The National Board of Health and Welfare, together with Sida and other public actors in Sweden and Ukraine, have developed a support programme that will allow Swedish government agencies and public actors to provide specialist know-how to their Ukrainian counterparts and exchange experiences with them. The programme covers reform efforts and initiatives aimed at bringing the country closer to the EU in areas such as health and medical care and social services, and this is now being expanded to encompass care of older people. 

Activities undertaken within the framework of the programme will focus on several areas: 

• Work on antimicrobial resistance; 
• Collaboration between hospitals to promote an exchange of experiences between Swedish and Ukrainian hospitals;
• European integration and regulatory matters in areas such as pharmaceuticals; 
• Family-based care of children and young people within social services; 
• Development of social services; 
• Care of older people.