The hospital partnership between the Evangelische Lukas-Stiftung Altenburg and the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Hospital aims to strengthen the health care services offered to people with mental illness in Sheptytsky Hospital in Lviv, Ukraine.
Context:
The Ukrainian health system is beset by inefficiency, underfunding and corrupt structures. Health professionals’ salaries are low and patients have to pay for their medical treatment themselves. Due to the recent visa waiver in the European Union, there is a risk of an exodus of medical and nursing professionals. In addition, there is an acute need for mental health care for internally displaced persons and traumatised soldiers in Ukraine.
Activities:
- Training for Ukrainian nursing staff in Lviv and Altenburg
- Teaching on how to use specific trauma procedures in practice
- Training in positioning and movement techniques (decubitus prevention)
- Establishment of test procedures, e.g. for diagnosing dementia
- Support in quality management (responsibilities, procedures, etc.)
Result:
By enhancing the occupational therapy and psychotherapy skills of nursing staff at Sheptytsky Hospital, care for patients who are bed-ridden or suffering from trauma or dementia is improved. Once trained, the professionals act as multipliers for other facilities.