SOLOMIYA : Long-term strengthening of medical and psychosocial infrastructures through a hospital partnership network in Ukraine

The partnership between Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kharkiv National Medical University, the Institute of Mental Health of the Catholic University of Lviv and the Ukrainian Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Lviv has the common goal of improving psychological care for people in the war zone. In this way, the hospital partners would like to build a dynamic and needs-based platform in this emergency situation. It is intended to provide concrete support to the Ukrainian population, which is experiencing stress and trauma as a result of the war.

Background:

In the context of the armed conflict in Ukraine, medical institutions are under pressure in three ways: by an increase in patients, by a decrease in treatment resources due to a lack of staff and materials, and as a direct target of attacks. Currently, more than ten million Ukrainians are on the run. About half of them are children and adolescents, many of whom are in urgent need of psychosocial support. Experiences from previous crisis regions show that in comparable armed conflicts, 40% of those affected show symptoms of stress that require treatment and 20% develop post-traumatic stress disorders.

Activities:

• Develop an integrative telemedicine platform based on an existing one developed in the context of pandemic response
• Assessment of medication needs and identification of 600 severely ill psychiatric patients in the three partner hospitals at four different points in the project
• Translation and validation of two psychosocial diagnosis, intervention and treatment manuals on psychological first aid measures
• Training and "train-the-trainer" workshops for 100 lay people and professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of stress and trauma-related disorders
• Support and treat 2,000 patients with stress and trauma-related disorders, including weekly support for at least one in four people
• Develop a scaling up plan to expand SOLOMIYA partnerships

Impact:

Targeted psychological support to the Ukrainian population reduces the negative long-term impact of armed attacks on their mental health. Early identification and treatment of stress and trauma-related disorders increases the chances for patients to live a normal a life after the war. The establishment of a close network and the training of trainers ensures that the project will be sustainably anchored in Ukraine beyond the funding period.