Healthcare in times of war: help for Ukrainian haematology patients
[Press release]
The MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory supports the network "Help for Ukrainian Hematology Patients (HUP)", a global initiative to maintain and improve hematology care in Ukraine. The aim is to set up hematology centers and establish hematopoietic cell transplantation programs in times of war. As part of the project, blood or bone marrow samples from Ukraine are sent to the MLL on a weekly basis, and the senders and hospitals there receive the results free of charge within a few days. Over 580 samples from Ukraine have already been processed at the MLL and 2300 different hematology tests have been carried out.
Munich, 18.01.2024 - "In Ukraine, there were hardly any intensive cancer therapies such as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or corresponding pediatric programs in the early 2020s. However, six treatment centers carried out autologous haemotherapy methods, and some hospitals are members of the European LeukemiaNet ELN," explains MLL Managing Director Prof. Dr. med. Torsten Haferlach. "However, in 2021, most Ukrainian patients with hematologic diseases were still being treated outside the country or not at all. In this context, the ELN and the Worldwide Network of Blood & Marrow Transplantation were asked to help establish allogeneic stem cell transplantation programs for adults in the country."
Since then, hospital visits and the establishment of a telemedicine program have been carried out under the constant leadership of Prof. Dietger Niederwieser (Leipzig) before the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in February 2022. As a result, the "Help for Ukrainian Hematology Patients (HUP)" network was founded in view of the immense disruption to Ukrainian healthcare in order to establish sustainable care for haematology patients in Ukraine and to address the most important obstacles to haematotherapy through weekly video conferences, among other things. The most important international haematology and transplant organizations (ASH, ASCO, EHA, DGHO, ECO and WBMT, EBMT, ASTCT) as well as doctors from several Ukrainian institutions, the local Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) were involved. Subsequently, partner cities, various governments and the EU Commission support the initiative.
"The HUP network is committed to patient care at home and abroad, the collection of missing medicines, equipment and supplies, the improvement of haematological diagnostics, the establishment of a European tumour and transplant committee, the maintenance of a donor register and the establishment of a national transplant society, the creation of a nationwide emergency plan and the standardization of procedures and processes," explains Haferlach. "The successful allocation of patients to transplant centers in Ukraine and Europe, the delivery of drugs and laboratory equipment as well as the weekly tumor board of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation under the direction of Prof. Niederwieser are just some of the special milestones achieved under the most adverse circumstances, which were made possible by the tireless efforts of the network's numerous partners. At the MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory, we are proud to support complex leukemia diagnostics and have now performed over 580 samples and over 2300 different analyses - and sent the results in English immediately." Blood or bone marrow samples from all over the country are sent to the MLL on a weekly basis for cytological, cytogenetic, immunophenotypic and molecular genetic analysis. Results are made available to Ukrainian hospitals free of charge within a few hours or days in all cases.
"Despite the highly problematic situation on the ground, which is characterized by war and a lack of medical resources, an exemplary care system for haematological patients has been established thanks to the solidarity of international companies, private sector institutions and dedicated local doctors and officials," summarizes Haferlach. "The use of new technologies, including telemedicine, is also crucial. It will have to be tested whether this successful template can ideally be copied and adapted in other regions with corresponding emergencies."
>> The project was also presented as a lecture at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology ASH in San Diego in December 2023: