Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde visited Ukraine
The Minister met with Ukrainian Minister of Health Viktor Liashko and First Lady Olena Zelenska.
During the visit, the two ministers:
• signed the Declaration of Intent on strengthening cooperation in the field of health
• paid a visit to Bucha; mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk and Father Andriy shared memories about the Russian occupation; the delegation laid flowers at the memorial to the victims of Russian aggression
• visited the children's hospital Kiev Regional Children's Hospital in Boyarka together with Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska to see how the hospital collaborates with the Danish National Hospital (Rigshospitalet) to strengthen health efforts for children and their parents.
• visited the mental health rehabilitation project in Bucha operated jointly by the Ukrainian and Danish Red Cross, financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• visited the apartment building in Solomyansky neighbourhood in Kyiv recently hit by Russian missile attack
• took a walk at the iconic Maidan square to witness the flag memorial to fallen Ukrainian and international soldiers
In connection with the visit, Denmark has donated 3000 hearing aids to Ukraine to help both soldiers and civilians who experience hearing loss due to war impact. The donation comes after concrete demand from the Ukrainians, who need international support to ensure their citizens have access to necessary healthcare services. Behind the donation are the companies GN Hearing, Demant and WS Audiology, which donate 1,000 hearing aids each. The Danish state helps with financial compensation for the local partners or hearing clinics, which have to fit and adjust the hearing aids for the individual users, so that the best possible quality is ensured. The Red Cross contributes with practical assistance in the work.
Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde said: The visit to Ukraine made a deep and indelible impression on me. The Ukrainians are in every way in a very difficult situation, and I am incredibly happy that Denmark can once again make a contribution to the country, and that we, in cooperation with Danish companies, can help some of the many Ukrainians who are currently affected by hearing loss. Danish companies have special expertise in the field of hearing, and it is commendable that three companies are now stepping in with support”.
The minister was accompanied by regional council chairman in the Capital Region, Lars Gaardhøj (S), and center director at Rigshospitalet, Merete Lange.
Lars Gaardhøj said: “I am very happy that with the visit to Kiev we are strengthening cooperation with the Ukrainian health authorities - especially in the area of children. There is no doubt that Ukraine has been very badly affected by the war, and I have now seen this with my own eyes with horror. There is a massive need for help, and I am proud that we from the Capital Region can help in the area of health”.
Denmark has previously donated medicine, vaccines, medical equipment and protective equipment to Ukraine, and has so far received 193 Ukrainian patients for treatment.
More information (in Danish): Løhde besøgte Ukraine og indleder styrket samarbejde | Indenrigs- og Sundhedsministeriet (ism.dk)
Lars Gaardhøj said: “I am very happy that with the visit to Kiev we are strengthening cooperation with the Ukrainian health authorities - especially in the area of children. There is no doubt that Ukraine has been very badly affected by the war, and I have now seen this with my own eyes with horror. There is a massive need for help, and I am proud that we from the Capital Region can help in the area of health”.
Denmark has previously donated medicine, vaccines, medical equipment and protective equipment to Ukraine, and has so far received 193 Ukrainian patients for treatment.
More information (in Danish): Løhde besøgte Ukraine og indleder styrket samarbejde | Indenrigs- og Sundhedsministeriet (ism.dk)
