The Olena Zelenska Foundation Participated in the “Ukraine Healthcare Initiative” Conference
May 6, 2025
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On May 5, 2025, the Olena Zelenska Foundation participated in the international “Ukraine Healthcare Initiative” conference in the Czech Republic. The conference brought together key stakeholders in Prague to discuss the restoration and development of the Ukrainian healthcare system in the context of the war and post-war reconstruction.
The event brought together key stakeholders and partners to discuss the restoration and development of the Ukrainian healthcare system in the context of war and post-war reconstruction.
Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and founder of the Foundation, opened the conference, focusing the international community’s attention on the need for medical assistance to Ukraine during war and the significance of global partnership.
“Now the burden on every medical doctor, on every hospital in Ukraine, is many times—if not dozens of times—greater than in our neighboring countries. According to our Ministry of Health, 83 % of people experience stress, and 78 % directly associate it with the war. And, at the same time, no one has canceled the diseases of peacetime. And that’s why I am grateful to the Czech Republic for standing with us on this path of saving people, their physical and mental state,” Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine and founder of the Foundation, noted.
Nina Horbachova, the Foundation’s director, presented the key areas of work in healthcare and psychosocial support for adolescents and youth in Ukraine and also emphasized the significance of consolidating the international efforts to help Ukrainian children and youth.
In particular, Nina Horbachova spoke in more detail about restoring medical infrastructure, equipping hospitals with medical equipment for treating complex injuries, and rehabilitating adults and children. The Foundation also prioritizes, among other things, establishing new “School of Superheroes” educational centers at children’s hospitals where children can continue learning during long-term treatment.
Psychosocial support for adolescents and youth is given special attention. The Foundation works on launching a new project in this area. In addition, it funds camps for the war-affected children.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be here and address the conference participants with a call to join efforts in the field of healthcare and psychosocial support for children and youth of Ukraine who grow up in the full-scale war realities,” Nina Horbachova, Director of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, emphasized.
The “Ukraine Healthcare Initiative” conference is held under the patronage of Mrs. Eva Pavlova, the First Lady of the Czech Republic. Representatives of governments, international organizations, medical institutions, the donor community, and the public sector attended the event. The main topics of this year’s conference were physical and psychological rehabilitation and building a sustainable model of medical care in Ukraine.
