How Ukrainian experience shapes European approaches to cancer prevention: the success story of the Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in PIECES project.

At a time when Ukraine is facing unprecedented challenges, the Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine is demonstrating the power of professionalism, partnership and strategy in the field of healthcare at the international level. Thanks to its participation in PIECES project within the Horizon Europe Programme, dedicated to the large-scale adaptation and tailored implementation of evidence-based primary cancer prevention programmes in Europe and beyond, the Centre’s team has become a shining example of how Ukrainian institutions are not only adapting to European standards, but also shaping them.

From Horizon 2020 projects to participation in Horizon Europe and PIECES project

The Public Health Centre took its first steps towards participating in European Union framework programme projects back in 2020, when it implemented CARE and SoNAR-Global projects. This experience, along with participation in international professional communities and joint events, allowed us to form a circle of international partners and develop expertise, which later became the basis for involvement in  PIECES project.

PIECES aims to create an innovative toolbox – a set of evidence-based practices for the prevention of cancer that can be adapted to regional characteristics. It is important that Ukraine has become one of the partner countries that not only participated in the development, but also serves as a pilot region, directly testing the implementation of this tool in the Chernivtsi, Rivne, and Ternopil regions.

How real influence is formed

The value of Ukraine’s participation in the project lies not only in testing tools, but also in implementing approaches at the community level with the participation of stakeholders at various levels: from disease control centres and medical workers to educators and non-governmental organisations.

Toolbox allows you to select disease prevention measures and methods based on criteria such as:

• target audience;
• barriers to change;
• risk factors;
• types of stakeholders.

All of this is clearly structured, which greatly simplifies decision-making and scaling practices across the country.

Challenges and resilience

Although the application was prepared during the most difficult period – at the beginning of the full-scale invasion – due to power and communication outages, the team members had to adapt and look for opportunities to connect to the Internet, including working in metro. However, even under such conditions, the PHC was able to quickly establish communication, submit a project application on time, and establish effective cooperation with international partners. Of course, it helped that the institution already had experience participating in Horizon 2020 projects, a PIC number, and an understanding of project implementation.

Advice to other organisations

The Public Health Centre team advises other Ukrainian organisations not to delay:

‘Horizon Europe is a path to independence from the state funding, powerful experience and international cooperation. If you have an idea, you must submit it!’

It is also important to choose partners according to the specifics of your institution and to join only those consortia where your organisation truly has expertise and value.

Looking to the future

Toolbox, which is currently being piloted in Ukraine,  in future will be available not only to medical professionals, but also to local authorities, educators and civil society organisations. It will become an universal tool that will contribute to strengthening public health across Europe.

This example proves that Ukrainian institutions are not only catching up with or working at the same pace as their European counterparts, but also have experience and expertise in many areas that enable them to set the pace for the European community in the field of healthcare.

Hanna Halan,
Chief Specialist in Project Management and International Cooperation,
Project Management and International Cooperation Department, Public Health Centre, Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Natalia Usenko,
Specialist in the prevention of non-communicable diseases,
Department for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Public Health Centre, Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Hanna Prykhodko,
Chief Specialist in Project Management and International Cooperation,
Project Management and International Cooperation Department, Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Yulia Arabska,
Chief Research Specialist,
Research Department, Public Health Centre, Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Kateryna Marushko,
Chief Research Specialist,
Research Department, Public Health Centre, Ministry of Health of Ukraine