The theme of the meeting was “The Development of Pediatric Care in Ukraine: Assessing Effectiveness, Referral Pathways, Partnerships, and a Patient-Centered Approach within the Medical Guarantees Program.”

The event, which brought together approximately 40 participants, was dedicated to discussing the development of pediatric care in Ukraine, assessing the effectiveness of service delivery, improving patient referral pathways, strengthening partnerships, and implementing patient-centered approaches.

Nataliia Husak, Head of the NHSU, addressed the topic of analyzing pediatric care within the Medical Guarantees Program and presented current data on the functioning of pediatric healthcare in Ukraine. Participants analyzed recent demographic trends and changes in patterns of pediatric visits and hospitalizations, and discussed opportunities for further service development — particularly in the areas of mental health and inpatient care — drawing on the experience of other European countries.

Special attention was given to the regionalization of perinatal care. Iryna Kondratova, Advisor to the Head of the NHSU, presented data used to inform decisions on the purchasing of medical services and emphasized the importance of adhering to referral pathways and concentrating complex cases in facilities with the appropriate resources and expertise.

Speaking about the First Breath advocacy initiative, its achievements, partnerships, and solutions for advancing highly specialized pediatric healthcare in Ukraine, Nataliia Tulinova, Foundress and CEO of ZDOROVI, highlighted key results, examples of effective cross-sector collaboration, and practical approaches that help strengthen the capacity of healthcare facilities across different regions of Ukraine.

The presentation of Kateryna Bulavinova, medical expert of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine, focused on viewing the hospital through the eyes of the patient, the community, and the healthcare system. She shared professional recommendations for hospitals based on monitoring visits to healthcare facilities and real-life cases. These observations and recommendations served as the basis for a constructive discussion on opportunities to further improve the healthcare environment, enhance the quality of services, and strengthen a patient-centered approach.

The First Breath project is implemented with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver Towards Reforms and Democracy Project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia and funded by Norway and Sweden.