Representatives of the Belgian Humanitarian Mission “Stay Safe” Visit TNMU Nursing Institute and Summarize the Ukraine-Belgium Palliative Care Project
From March to June 2025, faculty members of the Departments of Advanced Nursing Education, Patient Care and Clinical Immunology, Internal Medicine No. 2, Therapy, and Family Medicine at the I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University underwent specialized training in palliative care. The program was implemented within the framework of the Ukraine-Belgium educational and training project, aimed at enhancing professional competencies, improving practical skills, and introducing modern approaches to the care of patients with incurable diseases.
The final stage of the project took place during a visit to TNMU by representatives of the Belgian humanitarian mission “Stay Safe” — family physician and CEO of Stay Safe, Dr. Günter Constandt, and nurse and palliative care expert, CEO of Sumacura, Conny Vervynck.
During the meeting, the results of the training program were summarized, and certificates were officially awarded to all participants. The Belgian colleagues expressed their gratitude for the active participation, professionalism, and engagement of Ukrainian specialists in the development of palliative care.
While in Ternopil, the guests also visited the TNMU Nursing Institute, where they familiarized themselves with the educational process, laboratory activities, and the specifics of practical training for future nurses.
As part of the visit, a meeting was held with the university administration to discuss future directions of cooperation, including:
- improvement of nursing education programs;
- integration of international standards into the educational process;
- implementation of joint educational and research initiatives;
- conducting training sessions and professional exchanges;
- participation in international projects aimed at developing palliative care.
Within the cooperation framework, the Belgian partners provided sets of surgical instruments, which will be used in the practical training of Nursing Institute students.
In addition to the official program, the Belgian specialists delivered a lecture titled “Practical Application of the NEWS Scale in Nursing Practice in Belgium.” The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a standardized tool for assessing vital signs and the early detection of clinical deterioration in patients. The lecture generated significant interest among students and faculty, filling the lecture hall and demonstrating the relevance of the topic and high motivation for professional development.
This visit became an important step in strengthening the partnership between TNMU and Belgian colleagues, outlining clear steps for further collaboration in the field of nursing education and palliative care.