Integrated Care as the Foundation of Resilience: Development of a New Model for Patient Support Discussed in Kyiv

In Kyiv, a panel discussion titled "How to Build a Resilient Integrated Care System in Ukraine" was held as part of the Leaders for Health Residency on Resilience. Representatives from healthcare, social services, local government, civil society, and international projects discussed how to combine medical and social services, strengthen the role of nurses in communities, and develop self-managed teams.

Jos de Blok, founder of the Dutch organization Buurtzorg, shared his experience in implementing self-managed nursing teams, which fundamentally changed the approach to home care in the Netherlands and many other countries.

NSZU Deputy Head Natalia Nenyuchenko emphasized the practical aspects of the experimental long-term nursing care project for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy. She also highlighted the need for systemic training of healthcare personnel.

"A person feels better when they remain in their community, close to those who can help. Some patients need hospital treatment, but many can be supported at home. When a nurse and a social worker work together, that’s real care. Our task is to provide communities with knowledge, financial tools, and the ability to act independently and responsibly," said Natalia Nenyuchenko during the discussion.

"Everything starts with the choice to live. Even during war, we do not stop reforms — we are changing approaches, creating accessibility in rehabilitation services at the community level. We are teaching people to be resilient, to take care of themselves and their loved ones. This is our path — to build a system that will not break," emphasized Tetiana Lomakina, Adviser and the President of Ukraine's Commissioner for Barrier-Free Access.

"Community-based services are a new concept for Ukraine, but the war has accelerated the changes. We can benefit from the experience of countries that have already gone down this path. As the example of Jos de Blok shows, changing the philosophy of care can transform an entire country. Ideas based on values have the power to make the system alive and resilient," said Vladyslav Odrynskiy, Strategic Adviser on Health Reform and Head of the THRIVE Project Implementation Group for the Ministry of Health and World Bank.

Experts stressed the need for nursing to transition from a basic level to a master's level, and for simulation centers to be established in communities for practical training. Meanwhile, the National Health Service of Ukraine (НСЗУ) is considering the development of home-based medical-social care as a key element of a patient-centered healthcare system.

The integration of medical and social services allows for comprehensive patient care.