Ukraine: how medics coping during extended power outages
How hospitals and emergency services in Ukraine are coping during extended power outages
22.01.2026
Article published on the moz.gov.ua
Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Viktor Lyashko, has paid a working visit to the Sumy region to assess the readiness of regional leaders and medical facilities to operate amid ongoing energy difficulties and to ensure uninterrupted provision of medical care.
“The healthcare system is well-prepared to operate in emergency situations. We are currently dealing with large-scale attacks on our energy infrastructure, as well as sub-zero temperatures and prolonged power outages, which are making life extremely tough for the whole country. Our main priority is to maintain continuity of medical care, for which contingency plans are in place. All medical facilities have alternative power sources, mainly generators, with the State allocating more generators and fuel reserves to where the need is greatest. Some hospitals are also provided with a separate heat supply, their own wells and solar power sources. During extended periods of loss of power, the system has to switch to a resource concentration mode. In such conditions, emergency medical care remains a priority and will be provided in full”.
“The Sumy region is facing significant challenges, which is why we have worked closely with regional authorities and medical institutions to agree detailed arrangements on how to deal with different scenarios and ensure that people receive the medical care they need”, said Lyashko.
During his working visit, Lyashko visited key healthcare centres in the Sumy region, where he saw for himself how their boiler houses operated and the general level of readiness among hospitals to operate during extended power outages.
The Minister visited the Sumy Regional Clinical Hospital for War Veterans, one of the area’s leading institutions that offers medical, rehabilitation and psychological support for veterans, military personnel and civilians. Around 5,700 people receive inpatient care and more than 22,000 outpatient treatment every year. There are 20 beds in the hospital’s rehab department, with plans to add a further 15 this year.
A modern 0.8MW modular boiler house was recently commissioned at the facility which will keep the hospital running smoothly and ensure the continuity of medical care during emergencies.
Lyashko also visited the Sumy Regional Cardiology Centre, a medical facility that offers planned and emergency cardiological treatment to residents throughout the area. Every year, in- and outpatient care is provided to more than 3,000 and 11,000 patients respectively. Over the past year, the Centre has performed 907 procedures, including 417 stent placement operations and 56 pacemaker implants.
The Centre has a 0.4MW modular boiler house and two generators, ensuring that its critical equipment works properly and provides continuity of medical care during power outages.
A total of 26 medical facilities in the region are constantly monitored, 23 of which provide inpatient care. They are all connected to a centralised power supply as well as having backup power sources – a total of 89 generators. In addition, there are 29 independent boiler houses in the region’s medical institutions, with nine facilities also equipped with solar power sources.
You can read more on: https://moz.gov.ua/ru/robota-likaren-i-ekstrenoyi-dopomogi-v-umovah-znestrumlen-viktor-lyashko-vidvidav-sumshinu ]
