In the conditions of war, the Ukrainian medical system continues to adapt to new challenges. One of the key tasks is to ensure the autonomy of hospitals so that they can operate even during emergency power outages and do not interrupt the process of providing medical care. The reinforcement of medical facilities is taking place in all regions of the country, reports the press service of the Ministry of Health.
As of today, 97% of healthcare facilities have backup power sources. More than 15 thousand generators of various capacities have been installed throughout Ukraine. Special attention is paid to the protection of equipment: 60% of hospitals are already equipped with protective structures for generators (gabions, sandbags, concrete slabs, etc.), which allows them to maintain their operation even during shelling.
In parallel, work is underway to strengthen the heat supply system. Currently, 70% of medical institutions have autonomous boiler rooms or have implemented alternative solutions. Alternative energy sources are being actively implemented. More than 250 hospitals are already equipped with solar power plants, and more than 300 are planned to be connected by May 2026. Solar panels have already been delivered to 130 outpatient clinics in 19 regions within the HEAL Ukraine project.
Thanks to such stations, institutions can partially or fully provide themselves with electricity (in winter – up to 5 hours a day, in summer – up to 10 hours). This allows doctors to continue working even in the event of blackouts, maintaining patients’ access to critical care.
The use of solar stations provides electricity savings of 48%, and the saved funds are directed to repairs, equipment and medicines. The second stage of the HEAL project is currently underway: another 200 outpatient clinics will soon receive solar panels.
The “Ray of Hope” project, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Health, is operating in parallel. Within its framework, the installation of solar power stations has already been completed in 13 hospitals, and installation work is underway in 35. By the end of the year, solar stations will appear in 50 more medical facilities, and by May 2026 – in 190.
Among the 632 hospitals included in the capable network, the following autonomy indicators were recorded:
- 53% (332 facilities) are fully autonomous, i.e. equipped with backup power, autonomous heat supply and their own water supply;
- 100% of facilities have backup power sources (over 3,500 generators);
- 89% (565 hospitals) are equipped with autonomous heat supply systems;
- 63% (399 facilities) have local water supply sources, a total of 865 wells provide a stable water supply;
- 96% (609 facilities) have protective structures designed for 261,478 people;
- 468 hospitals use Starlink satellite communication.
As part of preparations for the heating season, a large-scale field monitoring of the readiness of medical institutions for the autumn-winter period was carried out. 761 facilities were checked, including hospitals of a capable network, regional emergency centers, blood centers, disease control and prevention laboratories, as well as the forensic medical examination bureau.
