On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.
Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.
UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Since February 2022, the war in Ukraine has caused widespread disruption and damage to the health sector. According to the Third Rapid Needs and Damages Assessment (RDNA3) conducted in March 2024 by the World Bank, European Union, United Nations and the Government of Ukraine, the damage to the health sector alone amounts to approximately USD 1.4 bln, while the recovery and reconstruction needs for the sector are estimated at USD 14.2 bln. As per the data of the Ministry of Health, over 1,300 medical facilities were damaged and 184 were destroyed up to 28 June 2023, with the highest concentration of damage in Kharkivska, Khersons'ka, Donetska, Mykolaivska and Kyivska oblasts.
The Mykolaiv City and Oblast, located in southern Ukraine, is a frontline region significantly impacted by the ongoing war. The region has been subject to intense shelling and missile strikes, resulting in widespread damage to infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.
The healthcare system in Mykolaiv City and Oblast faces a critical shortage of specialized medical equipment. This shortage is exacerbated by the ongoing armed conflict, which has disrupted supply chains and limited access to essential medical supplies.
Background Information - Job-specific
This project, funded by Novo Nordisk A/S, aims to address this urgent need by procuring and delivering specialized medical equipment to multiple healthcare facilities in Mykolaiv City and the wider region. The project aligns with the objectives of the UN Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024 and particularly the objectives of the Health Cluster: Cluster Objective 1 on ensuring access to quality life-saving health care to the most vulnerable populations and communities affected by the war; and Cluster Objective 2 aimed at strengthening readiness and all-hazards preparedness to respond to emergencies. The project also supports the attainment of the SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, contributing to the improvement of health outcomes and the strengthening of healthcare systems in a region facing significant humanitarian and development challenges.
The project will directly benefit the local population by enhancing the capacity of healthcare facilities to provide essential medical services, ultimately contributing to the well-being and recovery of the community. The project has been developed based on the needs identified by the local city and oblast authorities, as well as the communities throughout the region. The specific objectives have also been coordinated with the representatives of the Health Cluster operating in the southern regions of Ukraine.
The project targets ten medical institutions, including hospitals and a primary care facility. The project leverages existing Ukrainian legislation, allowing patients to choose their medical institutions, ensuring that the rural population has access to city hospitals in Mykolaiv and regional hospitals across Ukraine.
The most common request is for examination and scanning machines, indicating a need for enhanced diagnostic capabilities. Three hospitals have requested rehabilitation equipment, highlighting the importance of addressing post-treatment recovery. The specific requests for blood sugar measuring equipment, neurological scanning equipment, mobile x-ray machines, ventilators, and modular ambulatories demonstrate a diverse range of needs across the selected institutions.
The project is the result of the partnership between UNOPS, Novo Nordisk A/S and the Government of Denmark and is planned to be implemented in complementarity with the Danish funded support to health facilities throughout Mykolaiv City and Region. The partnership specifically provides for the burden-sharing in the provision of health systems support, whereby the Government of Denmark support the repairs and reconstruction of the health facilities in Mykolaiv and throughout the region, whereas the support provided by the Novo Nordisk A/S ensures that respective health facilities are fully equipped with specialized medical equipment. The activities in both projects will be planned and synchronized to allow for the rehabilitation and preparation of hospitals prior to the delivery and installation of the medical equipment.