Taiwan signs pact to support maternal care in Ukrainian city

Warsaw, Nov. 17 (CNA) Taiwan on Monday signed a pact with the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia to launch a cooperative program providing medical equipment, doctor training and other support to improve maternal and child healthcare.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed remotely by Taiwan's representative to Poland, Jeff Liu (劉永健), on behalf of the Taiwanese government, and Vinnytsia Mayor Serhii Morhunov during a videoconference.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan has provided medical, educational, reconstruction and infrastructure support. The latest MOU is part of the Taiwanese government's "Partnership for the Future" initiative.

The assistance will focus on helping the city's maternity and neonatal care center improve medical safety for newborns and mothers, Liu said.

He added that two doctors from Vinnytsia have already completed professional training in Taiwan, while another two arrived last week to receive training and will work with Taiwanese medical teams to exchange skills in neonatal care and critical-care management.

By upgrading the center's medical equipment and strengthening professional training, the program will help reinforce the city's capacity to care for mothers and infants, Liu said.

In his remarks, Morhunov thanked Taiwan for its repeated medical, social and humanitarian assistance. He also invited Liu to visit Vinnytsia after the program is completed to witness the results of their cooperation.

The maternal and neonatal care center is one of the city's most important medical facilities, treating around 11,000 inpatients and delivering more than 1,700 newborns each year. Taiwan's latest assistance will help maintain basic services under wartime conditions.