Is Ukraine ready to join the EU’s health data infrastructure?
Estonian business and software development company Net Group has launched an assessment of Ukraine’s technical readiness to join the European Union’s (EU) cross-border health data exchange infrastructure, MyHealth@EU.
Since the beginning of the war, over 6 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country, and many have settled in EU member states. Though emergency medical care is guaranteed to them as refugees, accessing their health data has been problematic.
As an EU candidate country, Ukraine must align its health data collection and cross-border data exchange with European standards. The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) commissioned the analysis, which will provide a clearer picture of the current legal and technical issues surrounding health data in Ukraine.
Supporting the Ukrainian health sector’s integration with Europe
“The aim of the analysis commissioned by ESTEDV and endorsed by the Ministry of Social Affairs is to support Ukraine with integrating its e-health services and joining the European health data exchange,” said Jaanika Merilo, project lead and Ministry of Social Affairs Digital Solutions policy manager. She emphasised that the exchange of data between countries is important for Ukraine, as it ensures better treatment for its citizens in the foreign countries where they are currently staying, including Estonia.
According to Merilo, Estonia exchanges prescription and health aggregate data with 13 countries using the MyHealth@EU pan-European health data exchange infrastructure.
“Almost 50,000 patients and doctors already take advantage of this opportunity, saving both time and resources and ensuring better quality treatment,” said Merilo.
A closer look at Ukraine's legal and technical readiness
As part of the project, Net Group will analyse Ukraine's technical readiness to join the MyHealth@EU infrastructure and map its existing e-health solutions, including patient identification, consent, digital prescription use and security mechanisms for health data.
“After a thorough technical and legislative analysis, we can provide more specific recommendations on how to move forward with either the MyHealth@EU infrastructure or alternative solutions, such as exchanging health data directly with Estonia,” Merilo said.
According to Margus Kaldma, head of Digital Health at Net Group, the company has the necessary experience and competence in Estonian e-health information systems, including cross-border health data exchange and digital prescriptions, to conduct the assessment.
“Net Group has participated in several projects with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund and the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre (TEHIK), and our e-health team members have also participated in developing the MyHealth@EU infrastructure. This gives us a significant advantage in mapping current solutions in Ukraine and assessing their compliance with European Union requirements,” Kaldma said.
Kaldma added that despite the ongoing war and a condensed project timeline, which impose their own limitations on the project, the analysis has gotten off to a good start. “The willingness of the Ukrainian partners to cooperate has been impressive, and I believe that we will be able to deliver the project on time,” he said.
Estonian experience with health data exchange
According to Andres Ääremaa, programme manager for Digital Development at ESDTEV, the digitalisation of health information, improved interoperability and efficient cross-border sharing are important steps to aligning the Ukrainian health care system with European standards. “Estonia has valuable experience in developing its health care system and harmonising legislation with European requirements, which we are ready to share with Ukraine through development cooperation,” said Ääremaa.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, Estonia’s Ministry of Social Affairs and TEHIK are contributing to the project along with ESTDEV. The project budget is 33,366 euros, and the assessment is expected to be completed within a month.
The MyHealth@EU infrastructure for cross-border health data exchange, developed in the European Union and implemented in many EU countries, allows citizens of those countries to use digital prescription and patient summary data services in other EU countries. Estonia joined the MyHealth@EU infrastructure in 2021.
Related articles