In 2024, 11 modular primary care clinics and one modular station for emergency medical teams (EMS) were installed in the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa and Sumy regions in Ukraine. This project, implemented by WHO in partnership with the Ministry of Health and with financial support from the European Union (EU), ensures continued access to essential health-care services despite the ongoing challenges of the war.
“These modular clinics are being installed in regions heavily impacted by the war, where health-care facilities have been damaged. The Ministry of Health, WHO and our partners are committed to ensuring that Ukrainians can access the health care they need. In 2024, 12 modular clinics were installed, which are expected to serve around 50 000 patients across various regions of Ukraine,” said Viktor Lyashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.
These clinics will improve access to essential primary health-care services alongside emergency medical care in affected regions. Teams of doctors and nurses will work in facilities which are equipped with electricity, sanitation, waiting areas and examination rooms. Designed to operate during emergency power outages, each clinic is equipped with a generator to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.
Life-saving medical services
Fully integrated into Ukraine’s health-care system, the modular clinics can be installed within 10 to 14 days and provide a long-term solution with a lifespan of over 10 years.
“These clinics are crucial as they bridge the gap between emergency response and early recovery, providing both immediate and long-term access to care. With 40% of attacks on health care affecting primary care, these clinics, staffed by local health-care providers, offer a vital solution to continue care in affected communities,” noted Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has inflicted devastating damage on the health-care sector. Thousands of people have been left without essential medical care, especially in frontline areas where the situation remains critical. Modular clinics are crucial in providing life-saving medical services in regions where the infrastructure has been severely affected,” said Marianna Franco, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid office in Ukraine.
This is part of WHO’s broader project for emergency response and recovery, which has seen 12 modular clinics installed in 2024 with EU support, following the installation of 17 clinics in 2023 with support from the EU, Germany and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. In total, modular facilities have been established in the regions of Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy and Zhytomyr.