Strengthening Primary Health Care in Eastern Ukraine

As part of German-Ukrainian cooperation, m4h is assisting the Ukrainian Social Investment Fund (USIF) in upgrading primary and secondary health centers in Eastern Ukraine. The project, funded by KfW and the European Union, focuses on infrastructure renovation, stakeholder training, and the procurement of medical equipment to improve outpatient and COVID-19 follow-up care for both the general population and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The challenge

Eastern Ukraine has long faced challenges due to ongoing conflict and outdated health infrastructure, particularly in the regions of Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. The need for improved primary health care services became even more critical with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the displacement of large populations due to military conflict. However, the escalation of the conflict following the Russian invasion in 2022 has severely impacted project implementation, necessitating a re-evaluation and adjustment of project activities.

The assignment

m4h was commissioned to:

• Rehabilitate health infrastructure:Oversee the renovation of approximately 40 primary health care facilities to ensure they are fully operational and meet modern standards, including energy efficiency improvements.
• Train stakeholders:Provide comprehensive training for USIF staff, medical personnel, and local authorities on energy efficiency, infrastructure maintenance, and health care management.
• Procure medical equipment:Ensure that all rehabilitated facilities are furnished with modern medical equipment and essential supplies, enhancing the quality of health care delivery in the targeted regions.
• Ensure compliance and safety: Develop and implement Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMFs) and ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards during construction and operational phases.

The results

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict, m4h has achieved the following outcomes up to February 2022:

1. Progress in SP implementation: Initiated activities for 38 Sub-Projects (SPs), with design and cost estimate documentation (DED) developed for all and construction works completed at 7 SPs, in progress at 23 SPs, and newly launched at 4 SPs.
2. Environmental and social compliance: Updated the Project Environmental and Social Management Framework and made all related plans available for public consultation on USIF and partners’ websites.
3. Procurement of medical equipment: Procured and delivered laboratory equipment worth EUR 175,000 to partner medical institutions, ensuring better health care services in the region.
4. Training programme preparation: Finalized preparations for a comprehensive training program targeting physicians, health care managers, and local government officials responsible for medical services.
5. Adaptation to conflict: Following the Russian invasion, m4h has been working with USIF to re-develop the scope of intervention and supervise ongoing activities in areas still controlled by the Ukrainian Government, ensuring continued support despite the challenging circumstances.

Ongoing construction works (facade insulation) SP Mariupol

Opening ceremony, SP Zachepylivka