While the world is searching for ways to contain antibiotic resistance, Ukraine’s healthcare system faces this challenge under far more difficult conditions — during war, mass trauma, evacuations, overloaded hospitals, and the constant risk of healthcare-associated infections. This makes the role of nurses critically important today, as they are the ones shaping a safe environment for patients every day — from hand hygiene practices to preventing the spread of infections within hospital departments.

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The “Safe Care Starts With Us” programme will bring together Ukrainian and Swedish experts to share modern approaches to infection prevention, responsible antibiotic use, and strengthening the role of nursing within the healthcare system.

ReAct is an international network and one of the leading global initiatives in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

The programme will run online for 7 weeks — from August 31 to October 18 — and will combine self-paced learning, interactive sessions, and practical assignments. Participants will study:
– infection prevention and control;
– standard safety precautions, including hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment;
– prevention of healthcare-associated infections;
– outbreak management;
– responsible antibiotic use and the role of nursing in combating antimicrobial resistance;
– monitoring outcomes and approaches to improving the quality of healthcare services.

A special focus of the programme is the practical implementation of knowledge. Participants will develop their own mini-projects for their hospitals and will also have the opportunity to influence the course content through feedback based on the needs of their healthcare facilities.

Following the programme, 12–15 of the most active participants will take part in a study visit to Sweden — a country recognized as one of the global leaders in combating antimicrobial resistance thanks to its systemic approach and the high level of nursing autonomy.

The programme is open to nurses working in clinical settings in Ukraine who are motivated to learn and implement changes within their healthcare institutions. Support from hospital administration is an important requirement, as the programme is designed to engage not only individual professionals but also healthcare institutions as a whole.

Participants who successfully complete the course will be eligible to receive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.

This is already the third international internship and training programme implemented by ZDOROVI together with partners and a continuation of cooperation with Sweden aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s healthcare system.

Applications are open until May 24, 6:00 PM.

Please note: the number of places is limited to only 50 participants.

Course registration: https://forms.gle/ZpofUY1o8zP85TnSA

More Ukrainian-Swedish cooperation opportunities for Ukrainian healthcare professionals are ahead. We are already preparing new formats and opportunities, so stay tuned for upcoming updates.