Doctors from Paris Visited Vinnytsia: They Will Be Working Together on a Project Focused on Infection Control and Tackling Antibiotic Resistance

‘The project was launched as part of an intergovernmental agreement between France and Ukraine in the field of medical development. Our cooperation is currently being developed to strengthen infection control capabilities in our healthcare facilities, ensure effective antibiotic therapy, and tackle antibiotic resistance. This is a very important collaboration that will allow us to draw on France’s experience regarding a problem that is particularly acute, especially during wartime – the inappropriate use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. This is necessary for the safety of both patients and healthcare workers,' said Oleksandr Shysh, Director of the Healthcare Department at Vinnytsia City Council.

This strategic partnership is being implemented through the Expertise France Health Programme in Ukraine, funded by the Crisis Support Centre (CDCS) of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE).

The work will involve the introduction of rapid diagnostic methods, which will enable the implementation of antibiotic therapy strategies, improve patient treatment outcomes and ensure the rational use of antibiotics.

The collaboration with the French partners began with the Vinnytsia City Emergency Hospital and the Department of Infectious Diseases at Vinnytsia National Medical University. All city hospitals – Hospitals No. 1 and No. 3, the Regional Cardiology Centre, and the Mother and Child Centre – will subsequently be involved as well.

Currently, French medical professionals Paul-Louis Woerther, Jean-Ralph Zahar, Naima Taleb and Tetiana Melnyk are analysing and monitoring the situation in hospitals, developing recommendations and delivering specialist lectures for doctors, as well as reviewing complex clinical cases. This is how a strategy for infection control and effective antibiotic therapy is being developed. A more extensive training programme for doctors is planned for the future.

'I would like to thank the people of Vinnytsia for welcoming us. We were struck by the motivation and resilience of Ukrainian doctors. The aim of our future work is to better understand the dynamics of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in order to combat infections more effectively. The project focuses on effectively identifying such bacteria and effectively treating patients who are resistant to drugs,' said microbiologist Paul-Louis Woerther.