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Project stories 3. It brings us closer together…

Project stories 3. It brings us closer together…

22.10.2025

Let’s explore another story from the “Project stories” series – a collection showcasing the people who implement projects or benefit from their results.

Each story highlights individuals, places, and actions that – with the support of the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme – bring lasting improvements to the daily lives of border region residents and enhance the experience for visiting tourists.
We hope these stories will inspire new cross-border initiatives.

Enjoy another inspiring story!

Implementation of Polish-Ukrainian health projects is particularly linked to the realities of war – the full-scale military aggression of Russia against Ukraine. The images from the frontlines, visible in television, press, and online reports, stir the imagination and emotions. In this context, the decision of the Polish partners to join a Polish-Ukrainian project and to visit Ukraine during such a difficult time was not an easy one.

There were occasional air raid alarms; we felt some fear and uncertainty, but we made a conscious decision that we wanted to go, that we wanted to see it with our own eyes

– says Małgorzata Orzeł, project coordinator from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Regional Specialist Hospital in Lublin, recalling the first project visit to Ukraine.

Despite the ongoing Russian aggression, the team from Lublin not only decided to implement a joint initiative with the hospital in Zakarpattya, but also chose to build direct, personal relationships:

We try not to limit our cooperation to emails or online communication. We have met in person many times. We already know each other quite well, and that helps us a lot. This partnership is going really well – the contact is excellent.

The cooperation path with Ukraine was personally initiated by the Marshal of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, who engaged hospital directors in preparing the project.

The first impression was very good. A high-level delegation came to visit. They arrived with a concrete proposal, but also to learn about the needs of the other side. And within an hour, we had everything written down on paper. Very quickly,

– recalls Yevhenii Luksha, project manager from the Andrii Novak Regional Clinical Hospital in Uzhhorod.

These were not only the first meetings and first impressions but also the first international project for the Lublin hospital – and the first under the Interreg Programme.
Still, Ms. Małgorzata, who has been managing projects for 15 years, feels optimistic about the future of the joint Polish-Ukrainian endeavour:

I’m full of optimism regarding the project implementation, especially since the project is important for the entire Lubelskie Voivodeship, which has received many refugees. Our hospital treats soldiers and war victims, and so does the hospital in Ukraine – this is the foundation of our cooperation. We see it this way: on their side there are war injuries – explosions, crush and burn injuries – but similar traumas can also occur in our region due to gas explosions, car accidents, floods, and so on. These injuries are often alike, regardless of circumstances, and they also cause psychological trauma. This brings us closer together.

The partners decided to focus on the joint treatment of cardiovascular diseases and conditions requiring neurosurgical intervention, especially among war victims. They are aware that such diseases can take many forms – from physical injuries to long-term psychological issues.
Experiencing war or other traumatic events can lead to chronic stress and mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. These emotional conditions increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The CROSSDIAM project will enable hospitals in Lublin and Uzhhorod to be equipped with angiographic imaging systems for hybrid cardiovascular surgeries. Additionally, the Ukrainian partner will purchase new equipment for the hospital’s diagnostic laboratory.

A key component of the project is specialized training for medical staff, focused on diagnosing and treating war-related injuries, cardiovascular diseases, and neurosurgical conditions. These trainings will help medical teams on both sides of the border be better prepared to support patients affected by both the physical and psychological consequences of war.

Another important part of the project is the organization of two medical conferences promoting cross-border cooperation between specialists from Poland and Ukraine. Through the use of telemedicine tools, the exchange of best practices, and knowledge transfer, collaboration between the hospitals will become faster, more effective, innovative, and safe.

Ms. Małgorzata admits that her family roots also help in building the Polish-Ukrainian partnership:

I have Ukrainian roots on my mother’s side. My grandmother and great-grandmother were born in Ukraine, so I must admit I have a personal sentiment. We still have some family there – in a different region – but I think this project will also be an opportunity to renew those family ties.

More information about the CROSSDIAM project can be found HERE.