The event focused on the development of a postgraduate education system for neonatal nurses in Ukraine, taking into account the practical experience of European Union countries – Poland and Lithuania.

The discussion was attended by representatives of state institutions, experts in neonatology, heads of medical institutions, participants of international professional visits, and representatives of the academic community. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a coordinated vision and outline concrete steps for launching pilot training modules for neonatal nurses in 2026.

Opening the event, Natalia Tulinova, CEO and Foundress of ZDOROVI, emphasized that the initiative represents a systemic transformation of approaches to training mid-level medical personnel:

During the roundtable, Iryna Kondratova, Advisor to the Head of the National Health Service of Ukraine and Chair of the project working group, presented the results of the Ukrainian delegation’s expert visit to Poland (on February 3–5). The delegation, consisting of six neonatologists from Ukraine’s frontline regions, visited three Polish perinatal centers and held a series of professional discussions on the organization of neonatal care, financing models and interaction with the NFZ, as well as the structure of training and education for neonatal nurses.

Delegation members shared their conclusions and reflections following the visit. They highlighted the clear regionalization and concentration of highly specialized services in designated reference centers, as well as the recognition of neonatology as a national priority. Particular attention was paid to the expanded functions of neonatal nurses, the significant delegation of specialized responsibilities to nursing staff, and differences in the education system — including the longer duration of training for neonatologists and the autonomy of professional chambers.

The systematic nature of the Polish model was emphasized, including effective integration of clinical protocols, digitization of documentation, multidisciplinary decision-making, mandatory continuous professional development, and strict adherence to clinical guidelines. The model of one-day surgery and one- to two-day inpatient stays for newborns for examination and screening was also considered relevant for Ukraine, particularly as a potential solution for frontline regions.

Ihor Zmyslia, Director of Sumy Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, emphasized the importance of concentrating complex cases in specialized centers:

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«In Polish hospitals, there is no doubt about where a complex patient should be treated. Concentrating cases in specialized centers makes it possible to ensure high-quality care, stable funding, and professional development of staff. For Ukraine, these are difficult but necessary decisions.”

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During the discussion, participants also addressed the economic aspects of training, the feasibility of online components, and the possibility of a blended learning format. It was noted that a hybrid model (online theoretical training combined with mandatory clinical practice) could be a realistic solution for Ukraine in the context of martial law and staff shortages.

In addition to Poland’s valuable experience, participants highlighted the Lithuanian model as particularly suitable for adaptation in Ukraine, especially in the field of long-term neonatal care. Natalija Skorobogatova, Head Nurse of the Neonatal Department at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMUL) Kauno klinikos, presented Lithuania’s approach to neonatal nurse training, which is based on strict discipline, standardized protocols, and extensive practical training.

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«Investing in the education of neonatal nurses means investing in the survival and healthy future of children. Education must be practical, systematic, and prepare specialists to work with complex clinical cases,” the speaker noted, expressing readiness to cooperate on the development of joint pilot programs with Ukrainian institutions».

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Participants also emphasized the importance of clinical simulations conducted in team-based formats (“doctors + nurses”), the availability of nursing protocols with mandatory implementation audits, the active role of nurses in teaching and professional self-governance, and the involvement of parents in newborn care as an integral component of nursing practice.

The roundtable participants agreed that in wartime conditions, postgraduate education becomes a tool for strengthening system resilience: standardized programs and protocols reduce dependence on the individual experience of specific specialists and allow new professionals to be integrated into departmental work more quickly.

Following the meeting, participants formulated several recommendations, including advocating for an extension of postgraduate training for neonatologists and neonatal nurses, initiating updates to regulations governing the structure of perinatal centers and staffing standards, and continuing international cooperation with Polish and Lithuanian partners.

The First Breath project was launched by ZDOROVI in response to the need for systemic changes in perinatal care. It aims to strengthen human resources in neonatology — one of the key areas of healthcare in Ukraine amid demographic challenges and the full-scale war.

The project is realized with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver Towards Reforms and Democracy Project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia and funded by Norway and Sweden.