Finland gets 60 Ukrainian patients despite offering treatment to more

Around 60 Ukrainian patients have been evacuated to Finland under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of the Interior in a joint press release on Friday.

Finland has offered treatment to more patients, but Ukraine and the patients themselves decide which country’s offer of treatment they accept.

The largest numbers of patients have been evacuated to Germany and other countries neighbouring Ukraine.

A total of 5,000 patients have been evacuated from Ukraine to EU Member States under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The 5,000th patient was evacuated to Finland. Finnish Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib met on Thursday to discuss issues such as the evacuation of patients.

“Recently, more patients have been evacuated from Ukraine to Finland than at the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression. Finland takes an active part in international preparedness cooperation, and it is important that our healthcare and social welfare system is involved in supporting Ukraine,” said Grahn-Laasonen.

Evacuations are carried out under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), operating under the European Commission, coordinates requests for assistance and the provision of assistance.

“By welcoming patients in need, Finland has once again demonstrated its solidarity and readiness to help when it matters most. This month we reached 5,000 medical evacuations under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to 22 European countries. Finland’s solidarity stands out as a powerful example of this commitment in action. We will continue to strengthen our collective response to protect those most in need,” said Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib.