On 11 June the panel discussion on Health as a Prerequisite for Recovery, at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin, focused on the importance of a modern, inclusive and resilient healthcare system for reconstruction and recovery, and discussed solutions for a human centered recovery through support in mental health, rehabilitation and eHealth.

In a keynote speech, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, stressed the importance of mental health and rehabilitation support for strengthened resilience of the Ukrainian population, including investments in health through school nutrition.

Prof. Karl Lauterbach, Federal Minister of Health of Germany, reflected on the German perspective for supporting Ukraine’s recovery in the healthcare sector. He acknowledged Ukraine’s efforts to build back its health system better in light of the dedicated public health approach, the focus on prevention, mental health, and high-quality health care facilities as well as the integration with the welfare system.

Karin Steinecke, Charité Hospital Partner and Telemedical Project, contributed from a human capital perspective. She shared learnings on knowledge transfer between German and European medical professionals and Ukrainian counterparts and support to local work force capacity building, including the use of telemedicine.

The panel touched upon several aspects that are relevant for the annual hub community theme “Global Health in Conflict Settings”. As we are beginning to shape the annual theme: what aspects of global health in conflict settings are you most interested in exploring further?

Thinking about health system recovery, how could you devise health services that respond to conflict in a way that they could in future become regular components of the health system, for example in mental health?