It is estimated that there are more than two million Ukrainian patients with a rare or complex disease. To facilitate the work of Ukrainian medical doctors in this field, the European Commission has concluded an administrative arrangement with Ukraine that will help facilitate Ukrainian healthcare providers to seek advice on Ukrainian rare or complex disease patients from members of the European Reference Networks.
This agreement builds on previous initiatives to support Ukrainian patients with rare diseases and complex conditions who have fled the war and the agreement associating Ukraine with the EU4Health programme. Upcoming grants worth 77.4 million EUR to support the European Reference Networks will cover the period 2023-2027 and include the possibility for the Networks to collaborate with Ukrainian competent authorities and healthcare units, thus contributing to capacity building and best practice sharing with Ukraine.
The Commission continues to stand with Ukraine and has implemented this administrative arrangement with the goal of helping Ukrainian patients and families with rare diseases.
Background information
The 24 European Reference Networks (ERNs) are virtual networks comprised of 1,619 highly specialized CENTRES located in 382 Hospitals in the 27 EU countries and Norway. They are specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of rare or complex diseases.
Useful links
