Report: IT-Drohobych

 Report: IT-Drohobych
By Julia Gretschka, Mykolaiv Ukraine in Apr 14
IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report 1. Pre-history. The activity of fund “Bear and Lion” in Ukraine. The project “Stop TB
Lviv”.
In April 2014 the project “IT Drohobych” was finished. It was realized by Ukrainians
and Swiss in Lvivskaya oblast, Ukraine. This project is the result of big cooperation between
Ukrainian and Swiss NGOs, doctors and not indifferent citizens.
Ukraine is the largest country in Europe (after European part of Russia) with population
over 46 mln. of people and the territory more than 640 square km. Now the main Ukrainian
international direction is the EU family.
It’s obviously now that cooperation with Ukraine and development assistance to
Ukrainian society is necessary for both sides. The overcoming of Swiss-Ukrainian borders and
building the bridges between societies of these two countries is extremely important for both,
Ukrainian and Swiss. Therefore, it is highly essential to do everything possible for stabilization
this cooperation and it popularization between citizens of both countries. But the main task is to
make it productive and effective for development of Ukrainian society.
Swiss fund “Bear and Lion” has long history and has been established for cooperation
between citizens of Bern and Lviv in different spheres of the life. Lviv is Ukrainian city on the
border with European Union and where mutual work in social and medical projects have been
started. Projects for low-income children, children with autism, for tuberculosis patients, the
disabled, for the Ukrainian prisoners - on the following areas have been implemented dozens of
projects over the years of existence the Foundation in collaboration with churches, medical and
social institutions of Ukraine and Switzerland.
In its turn, Ukrainian partners provide their own time and effort in organizing charitable
initiatives and create long-term or indefinite places of social assistance.
The representative and the business leader of Fund "Bear and Lion" and the head of the
project "STOP TB Lviv" Urs Bertslov says:
«The IT project in Drohobych is just the part of " STOP TB Lviv " projects. The most
important goal of the project is to facilitate and accelerate the process of diagnosis of the disease
and determine the most appropriate treatment through informatization of Drohobych TB
prophylactic center. This project - is part of WHO's strategy for TB control and it was started in
2007.”
The cases of tuberculosis in Switzerland are tend to be highly rare, whereas in Ukraine
the incidence of tuberculosis has reached epidemic levels, due to the low standard of living, the
inconsistency of the state in dealing with this problem and a social crisis 90s, which led to
significant morbidity.
Does the Ukrainian State demonstrate effectively combat with such disease? No,
unfortunately not. General condition of the state TB prophylactic centers, material and financial
support for this field of medicine in Ukraine is critical and dreadful. As a result, the death rate
from tuberculosis in Ukraine is significantly high.
2/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report Therefore, the Swiss foundation “Bear and the Lion” with support of the Lottery Fund
started this project.
In 2005, the professor of Lviv University Ladnyi was first who applied to the Fund “Bear
and Lion” with a request to assist in analysis of tuberculosis in prisons. In the same year in
Drohobych prison with the help of Drohobych TB prophylactic center the analysis was
conducted. As a result it helped 30 - 40 people saved from potential disease. In this respect, there
was created the whole program for combating tuberculosis in close collaboration with the health
authorities: several doctors made the trip to Switzerland for borrowing the experience from
colleagues. Thereafter in 2008 has been updated laboratory diagnosis in Sykhiv (Lviv region).
Accordingly, the diagnosis of the disease has decreased from 2 months to 2 hours due to the
provided financial support by Fund Bear and Lion. When the government of Ukraine saw the
results of this innovative program implementation it adopted the program about ensuring all TB
prophylactic center of Ukraine with the same equipment.
“Professor Oleksandr Ladnyi”
The funding for all these projects is the result of support of Berne Fund, as well as private
contributions and church donations. Besides the financial support 17 Lviv TB prophylactic
centers have regular supplying by medical equipment, furniture, hospital linen and computers.
Previously there was given the additional nutrition to TB patients as milk powder thanks to the
DEZA.
So, due to the work of funds “Bear and Lion”, financial assistance from church
organizations, private companies, NGOs and individual Swiss philanthropists in Western
Ukraine was started a local wide-ranging project "Stop TB Lviv" in 2005. Over the years of
work of Swiss and Ukrainian colleagues in Western Ukraine has been greatly improved the
tuberculosis situation. And the most important is that all activities of the project are aimed at no
one-time efficiency, but on the perspective effect that should change approaches to the work of
medical institutions and doctors.
3/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report 2. About the project "IT Drohobych": the contents, results, prospects
Cooperation within the framework of the project "STOP TB Lviv" has been and still is
particularly close with Drohobych prophylactic center. Drohobych is a small city in the Lviv
region with the population over 100 thousand. Drohobych dispensary tends to be one of the best
in Ukraine and serves the whole region, with population over 250 thousand of people. Mortality
rate from tuberculosis in the region is less than in others, also there is no occupational disease of
doctors in clinics.
The low rate of incidence of tuberculosis in the district Yuri Skurchansky explains as
effective work of doctors on identifying patients with tuberculosis.
“Drohobych Tower”
The staff of TB prophylactic center is 101 people, 15 of which are doctors. Now over
2500 of TB patients are on treatment there.
In 2009 because of the government financial help and substantial assistance of “Bern end
Lion” Fund, the main building of the hospital dispensary had been completely restored.
4/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Drohobych TB dispensary”
Active and constructive support of the charity organisation “Bear and Lion” has become a
regular and progressive because of the activity, motivation and dedication to the fight against
tuberculosis of Yuri Skurchansky, the head of this institution.
In 2013 the IT project has begun in Drohobych dispensary. The goal was the
informatization of the TB prophylactic center.
In April 2014 the project has been completed with starting the computer network which is
extremely important for improving the efficiency of treatment and overcoming tuberculosis
epidemic in Ukraine.
The Representatives of the Fund “Bear and Lion” volunteers from Switzerland and Ukrainians,
who helped to plan and organize this project in Drohobych worked for a week at the clinic,
setting and installing all the necessary equipment.
There were installed 2 Servers, 10 Notebooks, 40 PC / Monitors, 4 Switch, 1 Firewall. So these
techniques that are providing in 4 dispensary buildings let each doctor to have access to a
computer and the Internet, to conduct fast Internet and local network between all computers,
install all the necessary software for work.
The network system allows medical workers of TB prophylactic center:
1. Store all information electronically and to get rid of the mountains of paper documents
(patient record, solution of social problems of patients).
2. Receive information from the Internet that is needed for efficient work.
3. Communicate with each other, with colleagues from other TB prophylactic centers of
Ukraine, with the leaders of the health care system of Ukraine, with colleagues from
other countries (including Switzerland) for sharing experiences, solving urgent issues for
advice (consult with colleagues on complex patients and such who cannot be
transported).
5/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report 4. Tracking the dynamics of TB in Ukraine, in the region. Comparison with other regions
and countries.
5. Accelerate the process of examination and patient treatment appointments, exchanging
information on health research between doctors of the clinic.
6. Participate in online conferences, seminars and training on all Ukrainian levels.
7. Regularly transmit the information about medicine needs and consumption of drugs to
the central government. Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public procurement
of medicines for the clinic.
8. Increase the data rate, the ability to transfer large files (X-ray pictures).
9. Reduce the processing time of patient data and time of data transmission between
medical professionals.
10. Install and use special medical software.
11. To have reliable data protection.
Before implementing the project in the clinic, there was one small network that spread on
2 of the 3 corps. Andrew Kashuba states that it worked very unstable and not effective due to
poor Internet and outdated equipment. According to employees of the clinic the calculation of
the approximate quantitative result of the project can be done now. This is conditional
calculations and percentages may fluctuate depending on various factors.
So, in the long term, the project “IT Drohobych” has the following consequences:
1. The time needed for receiving information by medical persons will be decreased on
approximately 30% .
2. The efficiency of consultations with medics from other countries and Kiev Institute of
phthisiology will be increased on 100%.
3. Approximately 40% of the time will be decreased on patient treatment assignment.
4. Approximately on 50% will accelerate the process of transmitting the survey data and
results to hospital doctor.
5. Approximately on 80% will increase the administrative control of the work of medical
personnel in TB prophylactic center.
6. Automating the process of information processing will accelerate this process
approximately on 80%.
7. Comparatively to paper-based sources the level of information security will increase to
90%.
Moreover, after the installing the network, the project participants have conducted
exercises for several doctors of the clinic, who later should share this knowledge with all other
employees.
6/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Training of doctors”
Some important steps should be carried out before the full usage of the entire installed
network.
According to Urs Bischler "For efficient work of the system, you need to engage young
people and young doctors to information technology.
They learn better and faster, are interested in working with information technology and
they learn English, what is the most important for the modern world. And it’s very important for
Ukrainian medics to conduct the cooperation and exchange of experiences with doctors from
other countries and international medic organizations".
Furthermore, there are other needs of the clinic. It’s necessary to overhaul the other two
buildings, which are in terrible condition. Of course, there are certain needs in updating medical
equipment. For example, now it’s needed to purchase a special medical scanner, which would
provide the ability to scan images of patients and show it to their colleagues from other
dispensaries of Ukraine and the EU.
“One of the four buildings of Drohobych TB dispensary”
The doctors of the clinic are required special trainings and skills for working with
existing software. For further improovment of the work doctors have to be trained on how to use
all the features of the installed IT network.
"As the next stage of cooperation it is essential to organize the trainings for clinic
employees in order to use this equipment and software", - says Andrey Kashuba, a young doctorroentgenologist.
7/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report For getting the most benefits from this computer network in Drohobych tubdispansery
it’s very important to establish similar networks in all medical institutions all over Ukraine.
There is a hope that the results of the project will inspire the Ukrainian government to
finance such programs in Ukraine, which tend to help to improve the treatment of TB patients.
In the future, the entire medical field should be fully computerized and all data must be
stored and transmitted in electronic form only.
Thus, the implementation of the project "IT Drohobych" - it's a big step to increase the
efficiency of the fight against TB epidemic in Lviv region and all over Ukraine.
Moreover, the introduction of innovations and informatization of the Drohobych TB
tubdispansery work opens up the new horizons for doctors who treat the diseases.
In the future, continuation of the work in this direction, it might positively and
qualitatively change the approach to the treatment of tuberculosis in the Ukrainian medicine.
Beyond that, for the Swiss this network is the ability to track the dynamics of tuberculosis
in Ukraine.
8/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report 3. Participants of Swiss-Ukrainian project.
Many people participated in the project “IT Drohobych” from Switzerland and Ukraine.
Planning, working and organization took place during 2013. In April 2014, for 5 days 7 Swiss
and 5 Ukrainian started the project of building IT network in favor for staff and patients of
Drohobych tuberculosis dispensary. Mr Zaychuk, a resident of the city of Rivne, transported
equipment from Bern to Drohobych. Most of the employees of tuberculosis dispensary also
worked with Ukrainian and Swiss participants.
“Team of IT Drohobych project”
Participants of the project – both Ukrainian and Swiss – became the most important part
of the project success. Each person had a personal motivation to do this project. While the
motivation of Swiss participants was focused on the desire to help people in need, the Ukrainian
participants, represented by activists and experts, were involved in working out social problems.
Aside from the Ukrainian participants and the representatives of "The Bear and Lion"
foundation (Urs Bischler, Ralph and Nadya Maurer) four motivated Swiss came to Ukraine to
participate the initiative. They are young professionals in the sphere of computer technology.
9/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Swiss team”
According to the project manager of the fund "Bear and Lion" Ralph Maurer "Including
young people from Switzerland to such charitable projects allows them to use their experience
and their knowledge for public benefits. This is a chance to engage them to something more than
just a career. Person should not only receive but also give away something to other people in
need, especially in countries less developed than Switzerland." As a teacher in professional
informatics I classify such projects as pure satisfaction. To see my own students building a
helpful solution for a hospital is really a great and makes me so happy.
Thus, the participation of all these young people in the project is not only an important
step towards setting up sustainable contacts between active young people in Switzerland and
Ukraine. According to Urs Bischler "We have to bring young people into the sphere of social
charity activities that could continue our work." And it seems that the new generation will do
their best to do it.
“Dr. Urs Bischler, Switzerland Lottery Fonds of Canton Bern”
10/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report Swiss volunteers gladly joined Ralph`s group and worked deliberately. For 5 days they
lived and worked with Ukrainian colleagues. In some cases they had to work at night or without
a break for dinner.
Since the spread of TB epidemic is quite low in Switzerland in comparison to Ukraine,
Swiss volunteers had to study the problem in order to figure out how they can effectively solve
the problem with the IT technologies.
Stefan Schmitter, trainee and employee of the company «Galexis», subsidiary company
of The Galenica Group, which is included in the top 50 Swiss companies in the area of medicine,
was also a volunteer of the project.
Company Galenica is a potential sponsor of healthcare system of Ukraine. It aims to
support the Ukrainian hospitals and schools by donating equipment and computers to them. In
most of the cases donated equipment was in no longer use, however they are still suitable and
useful for Ukrainian institutions.
For Swiss companies such sponsorship and participation is essential, shows social
responsibility and has many benefits for both, Switzerland and Ukraine. For the Swiss companies
it is a chance to get some tax cuts and improvement of corporate image. The initiative support
the main idea of company, in particular sustainability and has a positive impact on ecology as
they don’t through away the equipment but donate it to the communities, which need such
material.
Company Galenica regularly participate in social corporate responsibilities (SCR)
initiatives. Moreover, SCR initiatives are part of their corporation strategy.
Stefan argues that his personal motivation to participate in the project is a desire to do
something positive for other people. “This is especially important experience. I try to
communicate with as many people as possible and keep in touch with them.
Very few people from Switzerland know Ukraine's problems and few people understand
that it is so poor. I think that cooperation between Ukrainian and Swiss should be continued.
Young people from both countries can cooperate for better futures of their country as well as
common European future”- says Stefan.
11/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Stefan Schmitter, representative of Galenica Ltd”
Ukrainian participants of the project have also made their input it the project
implementation. Katya Anishchenko, worker of the company ISP from Mykolayiv, states that
the main motivation for participation in this project was her desire to realize her knowledge in a
good cause.
“You see that your strength and your knowledge are useful not only for your city, but for
people in other cities of Ukraine. Personally, it was interesting to see how we can implement
such project in Lviv. We are interested in the development of technology in hospitals, which
work in the field of TB. Swiss partners encourage the people who can and want to do something
for themselves, for their city and the country. Knowledge, advice and ideas from the Swiss
partners are very important for us.”
“Katya Anishchenko: knowledge is the future ”
Ueli Banholzer, Co-Founder of «whatwedo GmbH», tells:
“I’m here because I like what we do. I really like Ukraine. I want to do something great
for others, for Ukraine.
TB is a problem not only in Ukraine. It is also a thread for European countries since
epidemics from Ukraine and less developed countries can be spread to EU. That is why
European countries should help Ukraine to fight TB in Ukraine”
12/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Ueli Banholzer: we love what we do”
Roman Babchuk and Stanislav Verbitsky are computer engineers, experts in computer
networks, residents of the southern city Mykolayiv, also participated in the project.
“This project is a step to digitization of information and the ability to communicate with
doctors from other countries. Unfortunately, we recognize that the state is not able to solve all
social problems in Ukraine, but we, Ukrainians, are ready to start doing something. With the
assistance from our Swiss partners we can be even more effective. Personally, this project is an
opportunity for self-realization, new professional and social experience, and a source of useful
contacts”- says Roman Babchuk.
“Roman Babchuk in a work procces”
Stas and Roman did a great job by organizing the technical support of network
information dispensary.
13/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Stanislav Verbitsky is a computer engineer”
Felix Imobersteg is a computer scientist. The project was his first experience of
participation in social activities.
“It's very interesting. I use my knowledge to help others. Average Swiss person doesn’t
know much about Ukraine. We don’t have a lot of information about Ukraine, too. Despite the
fact that our countries are relatively close to each other, I have never heard anything about the
problem of tuberculosis in Ukraine. I definitely will continue to participate as a volunteer in such
projects in Ukraine. I liked the Ukrainians, they are very friendly people.”
“Felix Imobersteg and Ralph Maurer: use the knowledge to help”
Felix plans to continue his social activities in Ukraine and would like to take part in
futher projects implemented by the "Bear and Lion" foundation.
Daniel Werder, an engineer by education and a musician by occupation, decided to go to
Ukraine and work as volunteers when he heard how serious the situation with TB in Ukraine is:
“I learned about the project and wanted to take part in it. Tuberculosis is a complex social
problem and I wanted to do something to help solving it in Ukraine. We have a stable
government in Switzerland and it’s a good to support other countries like Ukraine. I truly hope
14/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report that Ukraine will have a bright future but at the moment it needs a support of European
countries. Our project can influence the situation. For us it is important to be concentrated not
only on problems of Switzerland.
We had some experience of implementing social projects like charity concerts etc.
What’s important is that these projects did not demand great financial input, but assisted in
solving certain social problems. Those projects took place in Switzerland. I have never organized
anything like that in other countries.”
“Daniel Werder: support the other”
Victor Zaychuk is a pastor of the Lutheran Church in Rivne. Within the project he was
in charge of transportation of the equipment from Bern to Drohobych.
“We must serve others. It is our mission and purpose as a religious people and citizens of
our country. God is love, and love for people is a manifestation of love to God. The cooperation
between the Swiss and Ukrainian allows cities to establish help- bridge and cooperation between
western and southern Ukraine. Projects like this are necessary and important for us”- says Victor
Zaychuk.
15/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Victor Zaychuk, our transporter”
Julia Grechka is a journalist from Mykolayiv.
“The project opened incredible horizons for me. Now I understand that young people are
the future of Ukraine. Therefore, we should invest our efforts in this future. I am happy that we
established friendly relation and partnership with Switzerland. They became not only strategic
partners for Ukraine but real friends. As for charitable missions, we understand that
Yanukovych's government has created many problems for foreign aid. A great share of
humanitarian aid was monopolized by the state. Now we have the new government of Ukraine
and we have a chance to introduce the necessary improvements. We plan to influence the
legislation framework to simplify the process of giving foreign aid to Ukraine. Personally I plan
to work in this direction.”
“Julia Grechka and Dr. Urs Bischler”
Doctors from the Drohobych tuberculosis dispensary were important members and
complement to the project team. Yuri Skurchanskiy, chief doctor, Andriy Kashuba, doctor, and
Jaroslav Bishko, dentist and expert in statistics, were actively involved in the activities.
16/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Dr. Andrew Kashuba”
“Dentist and statistics Jaroslav Bishko”
Yuri Skurchanskiy explains, “Ukrainian doctors have relatively small salaries but a lot
of enthusiasm. That is why we are willing to work hard in order to improve the work of our
medical system by searching for financial, technical and other help from partners, foundations
etc. We are very thankful for partners from Switzerland for their aid. I am happy that we could
bring additional use and improve the way we serve patients in our hospital.”
17/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Yuri Skurchanskiy chief doctor of Drohobych TB dispensary and Ralph Maurer”
For many volunteers and participants of the project it was the first experience of
participation in social project like that. These people are not scared of dangerous situation in
Ukraine in connection with the occupation of the Crimea and the threat of invasion of Russian
forces to the mainland.
All participants of “Drohobych IT” initiative are part of the social value of the project.
These people put their knowledge, resources and efforts in order to launch and IT network in
tuberculosis dispensary. They have established friendly and partnering relations which is a
guarantee of further effective collaboration within future social initiatives and projects.
18/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report 4. Improvement of IT technologies in the village school in Mykolayiv region (South of
Ukraine)
“Students of Nechayane’s School hold new computers”
Foundation "The Bear and the Lion" worked all over Ukraine. In addition to the project
in Lviv (western part of Ukraine) they helped to launch IT-technologies in the south of Ukraine.
In October, 2013 improvement of IT-technologies was implemented at the school of village
named Nechayane in Mykolayiv region.
There are 24 secondary schools in 52 settlements in Mykolayiv regions. Some of them
are partly equipped with computers. In average, 6 students use 1 computer simultaneously during
the IT classes. The project helped to give more computers to the village school. Therefore, it
improved quality of IT classes in this school and created opportunity for children to practice at
school.
The head of the Department of Education district argued that there is no corruption in
rural education. Since the settlements are small and people know each other, it is very easy to
find out information about corruption facts. Therefore children receive all the help from private
sponsors, the state, parents etc.
19/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “The Head of the Department of Education district Dolovanyuk Lubov”
There are 200 students in a secondary school in the Nechayane village. Before the project
the children had access to only 11 computers placed in only one classroom – the computer
science classroom. Nowadays, the development of basic knowledge of computer is necessary for
future employment and professional growth. Children should receive full access to computers
and the Internet to be fully literate.
Therefore, the requirements of the modern world and state education program Ukraine,
equipping schools demand a much greater number of modern computers. Given the shortage of
state funding, these programs and requirements have nothing to do with the real situation. Out of
the 11 outdated computers in this school, 9 were donated by private sponsors.
Now children of first and second classes of elementary school (children 7-8 years) have
IT in their curricula. An increasing number of students who should take these classes don’t
20/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report correspond to the number of computers in schools. Computers donated by the Galenica company
not only satisfy the greater demand for equipment in the given village school but also create
opportunities for more innovative classes. In particular the school plans to start online classes,
demonstration classes for teachers from other schools in the given district. Teachers will have
more opportunities to demonstrate video, power point presentations, exchange knowledge, use
online platforms etc.
In October 2013 a project manager, a representative of the Swiss Foundation «Bear and
Lion» Ralph Maurer and his wife Nadya visited the Nechayane’s school to study the situation
with the IT equipment in the school, assess the needs of students, and establish contacts with
director.
“Victor Zaychuk, Ralph and Nadya Maurer”
In half a year new equipment was already in the school. Thanks to the Galenica company,
“Lion and Bear” foundation and Ukrainian partners, the school received a brand new IT
classroom in in April 2014.
21/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Project’s team and the school director Tatyana Koval”
"We used to have one IT classroom with 11 computers. While government declares to
find money in order to meet all needs of elementary and secondary schools in Ukraine, only 2
computers in our classroom were given by the government. Other computers were donated to us.
Meanwhile, all 11 computers are rather outdated compare to computers donated by the Swiss
partners"- said Yuri Eberle, the teacher of informatics in local school.
“Yuri Eberle, teacher of informatics”
The company "Galenica" passed 17 computers to the “Bear and Lion” foundation for
Ukrainian school. Organizers also bought a printer, paper, computer’s mouse and speakers for
the new classroom of information technology.
22/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report “Pupils thank to Galenika”
As noted by Ralph Maurer, Project Manager from the Swiss side, “The Swiss are ready to
help Ukrainians, especially children, prisoners and medical facilities. Our Ukrainian partners can
help to implement charitable projects in the Mykolayiv region. We believe it is just a beginning.
We need to understand what are the needs of schools, hospitals and prisons in order to know
what kind of assistance to look for in Switzerland”.
“The school director Tatyana Koval, Julia Grechka, Ralph Maurer”
In addition, the project involved many active Ukrainians, who are always happy to
cooperate with Swiss organizations, churches and government agencies for the benefit of
Ukraine. Roman Babchuk and Stanislav Verbitsky helped to install computers and local network
between them and make the new computer class work. Victor Zaychuk, a pastor at Reformed
Church in Rivne in Western Ukraine, transported computers from Bern to Drohobych and from
Drohobych to Mykolayiv region.
23/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report Without the participation and help of all these people the project would never be possible.
Guests were met by the school director Tatyana Koval and Head of the Department of
Education of Mykolayiv district. Children welcomed the donors with poems and songs about
Ukraine.
School director Tatyana Koval thanked for computers and the work provided to equip
second IT class – for the students of elementary school. Also, 17 additional computers allow all
teachers to hold interactive lessons with the use of computer technology to perform creative
tasks with students that greatly increases the interest in learning and the subject:
"We enjoyed cooperation with “Bear and Lion” foundation and hope for further
cooperation with them in future. The new IT class greatly increased capacity of the school and it
is a great joy for teachers and students of our school"- said Ms Koval.
This project is a start of cooperation between the Swiss foundations, private companies,
organizations and churches in Western and Southern Ukraine.
Head of Education Department of Mykolayiv district Lubov Dolovanyuk and the Head of
the PR office of district education department Mykhaylo Tkachev also participated in the launch
of a new IT classroom in the village school. They thank Swiss partners for their kindness and
expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation for the benefit of children in Mykolayiv oblast.
As stated above, while the officials claim that schools are more or less equipped with computers,
they also admitted that these computers are often outdated and there are fewer computers when
needed for productive education. There are many other issues such as absence of high-speed
Internet which is usually replaced by expensive and slow mobile Internet; absence of other basic
equipment such as tables, chairs, projectors, printers etc.
“While schools have many other (basic) problems such as shortage of funds for
renovation of buildings, access to hot water and so on it might be difficult to find resources for
IT equipment in state budget” - explains Ms Dolovanyuk.
24/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report For example, the assembly hall in this school in Nechayane is not functioning. The roof at
the school needs complete replacement but for years they can’t repair due to absence of
resources (4-5 thousand USD to replace the whole roof).
“The assembly school hall with the broken roof”
Participants of the project from the Ukrainian side Julia Grechka comments the initiative
"We are ready to assist in planning and organizing such projects in the Mykolayiv region. We
highly appreciate assistance of Swiss partners and value their readiness to contribute to every
person and especially children all over the Europe, including Ukraine." Mykolayiv regional
official are also ready to ensure their input in similar projects.
25/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report 5. Perspectives of Ukrainian and Swiss NGOs, funds and private companies co-operation.
“Swiss-Ukrainian team of project “IT Drohobych”
"The Bear and Lion" Foundation has been already working in Ukraine for 15 years.
Since they have started their activities, many social projects have been realized in which they
contributed to positive effects that will remain for years. One of these projects started in 2007:
the project "Stop TB Lviv". This was part of the informatization of Drohobych tubdispensary “IT
Drohobych". All activities are set up in collaboration of Swiss and Ukrainian partners and are
focused on future development.
As Ukrainian authorities announced informatization of all areas, including the medical
and educational sphere, to increase the efficiency of social institutions and solving social
problems of Ukrainian society, the need of the modernization and automotisation the work
became very urgent. However, there has been done little from the Ukrainian authorities.
Therefore, IT Project Drohobych provides solution to such problem. The main goal is to
automate the process of inspection, appointment and treatment of patients. In the future, the
Ukrainian government will experience the positive results of informatization and may install the
same network all over Ukraine for tuberculosis dispensaries and medical institutions in Ukraine.
For that reason projects for informatization, in support of Swiss foundations and private
businesses can promote further implementation of information technologies at national level.
Moreover, in Switzerland technologies and medical devices become fast outdated and are not
used anymore every year. These tools are useful for the further development of Ukrainian
institutions in their aim to improve quality and effectiveness. Consequently, these projects are
bilaterally beneficial for both European countries.
These projects are ambiguous exchange of experiences between participants from Swiss
and Ukrainian side. What’s important is that it consists of an exchange of professional
knowledge, sharing of experiences and networking opportunities between Ukrainian and Swiss
partners. With these forms of exchange the main aims and priorities in the Swiss- Ukrainian
cooperation are reached.
26/27 IT-­‐Drohobych -­‐ Report Not only such projects as “STOP TB” are significant for West-Ukraine, but also for the
whole country, as such projects have the ability to be implemented in other regions as well. With
implantation of the projects in other regions positive experience of the Switzerland Lottery
Funds of Canton Bern and the “Bear and Lion” Foundation are spread as well. Beyond that, a
close cooperation between Ukrainian doctors and concerned citizens strongly contribute to an
important goal to overcome tuberculosis in Ukraine, like in Switzerland. Here again an
ambiguous goal.
According to the project managers Urs and Ralph, one of the most positive effects of IT
project in Drohobych is the involvement of young people in planning and implementation. They
can use their knowledge and develop skills of social/intercultural communication with partners
from other countries.
Financial and humanitarian aid is not the main component of these projects for
Ukrainians. The main value of the Swiss project, as an example of the work of the "Bear and
Lion Foundation" is a clear investment in development. Everything what Swiss partners are
providing is directed at a perspective on future and sustainable results. Bearing the history of the
Ukrainian society in mind, this approach is exactly where investment is needed.
That is why today there is a strong prospect of the Swiss- Ukrainian relations in social
projects in other areas of life.
Surely, cooperation might bring challenges ahead as well. For example, the complex and
artificially created barriers has been a challenge in the near past and created difficulties in supply
of humanitarian aid from abroad. In the current circumstances, everything should be done to
maximize the simplification of processes, rules and regulations. But it's a matter of time and
political stability within the country.
Currently, the national government of Ukraine and the regional administrations are ready
to support social initiatives. With a strong contribution to ease regulation for charity and
humanitarian aid, Swiss partners are able to transport the necessary equipment without (legal)
problems to Ukraine.
At the frame of IT Drohobych project, doctors need to be taught how to use medical
software more effectively in the near future. That’s why young doctors (students) also need to
get involved in project in which they can study, participate and create opportunities to work.
In colnclusion, the Swiss-Ukrainian cooperation is able to increase the involvement and
commitment of (young and educated) people, increasing of the number of projects in different
fields as well an expansion of the zone of projects and trainings.
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