World Telehealth Initiative hosts first ever International Telehealth Conference in Ukraine

One year ago marks the anniversary of the Ukraine conflict, which continues to cause devastation and destruction across the country. More than 760 Ukraine health facilities have been attacked and damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to care. In conjunction with the anniversary of the conflict, World Telehealth Initiative hosted the first ever International Telehealth Conference in Ukraine.

Co-founders Sharon Allen and Dr. Yulun Wang made the trek from California to Ukraine at the request of the Ministry of Health to host the conference. After 16 hours of flying and 19 hours by train, they arrived in Kyiv. The International Telehealth Conference brought healthcare leadership from across the world to share program experiences, best practices, and plans to scale telehealth efforts. 

World Telehealth Initiative now serves 26 hospitals and health outposts in Ukraine in partnership with the Ministry of Health. Through the program, World Telehealth Initiative’s medical specialists support Ukrainian patients and doctors in vital specialties from trauma surgery to neurosurgery and intensive care. Ukrainian doctors also use this telehealth network to connect their in-country experts from city centers to their medics closer to the front lines. In the first year of the conflict, World Telehealth Initiative has facilitated improved standards of care such as updated major hemorrhage protocols.

Mariia Karchevych, MPA, Deputy Minister of Health for Ukraine said, “The World Telehealth Initiative program has been highly impactful for Ukrainian patients and doctors during the conflict. We have experienced firsthand how doctors located anywhere can effectively deliver care at any time. Telemedicine has the potential to be a key component in the transformation of our healthcare system.”

World Telehealth Initiative has implemented the largest telehealth network in Ukraine that assists clinicians with combat trauma, and other high-acuity care in hospitals and on the front lines. We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of the Ukrainian people and healthcare system for years to come.