UWC Medical Initiatives Coordinator addresses European Parliament on public health preparedness

Dr. Olesya Vynnyk, M.D., Medical Initiatives Coordinator at the Ukrainian World Congress, attended the Enhancing European Public Health Preparedness, Pre-Hospital, and Disaster Medicine Conference at the European Parliament.

The event brought together opinion leaders from various European countries. The UWC Medical Initiatives Coordinator served as a moderator and outlined the main challenges for public health during the war. “This topic resonated incredibly, and I hope it will continue in concrete actions and results,” said Dr. Vynnyk.

The World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine, World Health Organization, European Council of Disaster Medicine, and Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region hosted the conference. 

In her speech, Dr. Olesya Vynnyk outlined the challenges Ukraine’s healthcare system faces today. She highlighted the persistent stress caused by attacks, the scarcity of treatment resources, the pressure of time in urgent cases, and the continuous effort required to sustain the reforms initiated in 2016.

“First of all, you should make sure that the system is operational. If not – change it. As simple as that. Now is the ultimate deadline. That’s why even at war, my country still continues with the healthcare reform that began in 2016. You want to build your house on a rock, so choose your values carefully and act accordingly without any exceptions,” said Dr. Vynnyk.

During wartime, special responsibility falls on the shoulders of combat paramedics and civilian doctors. “Tactical medicine should be a new standard for the entire international healthcare community. Combat medics should be properly equipped with best IFAKs, tac med supplies, the latest technologies, armoured Médical evaluation vehicles and all available or recently created innovations,” the UWC Medical Initiatives Coordinator emphasized.

During wartime, it’s crucial to consider the future well-being of upcoming generations, including their physical and mental health. Consequently, a significant challenge for physicians is to maintain ongoing care for children and individuals with chronic conditions.

“The best reaction to atrocities and cruelties is education. We can not forget that war has many different fronts and is being fought not just militarily. There are the economic and cultural fronts, not to mention the ideological aspects. Improve your skills, build new possibilities, implement the impossible. Because we as medics are fighting for a better world. For some, that means a bandage. For others, a bullet,” concluded Dr. Vynnyk.