'The Norwegian health service has made a tremendous effort in treating patients from Ukraine. While we are helping Ukraine, our health personnel are also gaining valuable clinical experience, including in the treatment of war injuries, infectious diseases and rehabilitation. This is important for Norwegian civil protection,' says Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.

Since 2022, Norway has transported more than 2,750 patients to Norway and other European countries.  Wednesday this week, Norway transported 21 patients to European countries, five of whom came to Norway. The number of evacuated patients to Norway have reached 504, making Norway one of the countries that has received the highest number of patients through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Only Germany has received more patients.

'After almost four years of full‑scale war, the Ukrainian health system is in a very challenging situation. The war has left a large number of seriously injured soldiers and civilians in need of treatment. In addition, Russian air strikes have hit Ukrainian hospitals and clinics. Norway’s evacuation and treatment of Ukrainian patients eases the burden on the country’s health service and helps Ukraine to continue to withstand Russia’s war of aggression,' says Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

'The fact that Norway has received more than 500 patients through medical evacuation from Ukraine is a deeply tragic milestone. At the same time, this number demonstrates our support for the Ukrainian people. We stand together in words and actions,' says Vestre.

Broad cooperation

Since August 2022, Norway has offered regular weekly flights to European countries to evacuate Ukrainian patients through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Medical evacuations from Ukraine is carried out through a collaboration between several ministries, the regional health authorities and the Norwegian Directorate of Health, as well as the Armed Forces’ Air Ambulance Unit, SAS and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).

Medical evacuations from Ukraine constitute the largest air evacuation Norway has ever carried out. Many countries have the capacity for hospital treatment, but not suitable transport for medical evacuation. The air evacuation resources of the Norwegian Armed Forces Medical Services help make use of the hospital capacity available in many countries, in order to relieve the health service in Ukraine.

The patients are of all ages, and many are accompanied by relatives. Cancer and war injuries constitute the largest diagnostic groups, but there are also patients with infections and other conditions. A national coordination centre for medical evacuation established at Oslo University Hospital ensures that Norway can offer available treatment capacity in the specialist health services. Patients receive treatment in various parts of the country.

Donations

The Norwegian health service also supports Ukraine with donations of, among other things, ambulances, medicines, vaccines and other medical equipment. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 58 ambulances from several different health trusts have been donated in the period 2022–2025.

Norwegian health workers are also strengthening health services in Ukraine by sharing experience and knowledge. Norway contributes to the rehabilitation of injured children and to mental health support in Ukraine.

'I am pleased that Norway can contribute with donations and expertise that can help save lives in Ukraine,' says the Minister of Health and Care Services.

Last summer, Norway and Ukraine entered into a health partnership agreement. The aim is closer cooperation, better health and to help counter the consequences of Russia’s warfare in Ukraine. The agreement provides for direct exchange of experience between health authorities, educational institutions and the health sector in Norway and Ukraine.