News 2026

Over the course of 17 weeks, international experts shared essential and up-to-date knowledge from various fields of infectious diseases. Topics included bacterial and viral infections, tuberculosis, HIV, the rational use of antimicrobial agents, and the diagnosis and treatment of severe infectious diseases. The lectures were delivered in English, with presentation slides translated into Ukrainian in advance.

The series forms part of BREATHE, a German-Ukrainian hospital partnership. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the “Hospital Partnerships – Partners Strengthen Health” programme, coordinated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Its aim is to strengthen medical education and training, as well as long-term professional exchange between German and Ukrainian partner institutions.

For Ukrainian universities, maintaining teaching and clinical training during the ongoing war remains a daily challenge. Air-raid alerts, attacks, power outages, and unstable internet connections have become part of everyday life in many places. Lecturers and participants repeatedly had to follow lectures from shelters or interrupt sessions at short notice. At the same time, many of them continue to work under considerable clinical pressure within a healthcare system facing additional strain as a result of the war.

The fact that the lecture series could nevertheless be maintained throughout the entire semester demonstrates the exceptional commitment of the Ukrainian partners. The digital format enabled continuous medical education while also creating a space for personal and professional exchange with international colleagues.

The series concluded with a quiz comprising 25 questions of varying difficulty covering the full spectrum of infectious diseases. Points were awarded for the fastest correct answer, with Diana Udovenko ultimately prevailing over the other participants.

“Diana Udovenko impressed us with her outstanding knowledge and speed during the final quiz. Even more important than the competition, however, was the exceptional level of participation throughout the entire semester. Continuing medical teaching and training reliably under wartime conditions deserves our utmost respect. My sincere thanks go to our Ukrainian partners, whose commitment continues to make this possible. I would also like to thank all the lecturers who prepared and delivered their presentations without remuneration, in their own time and in addition to their clinical and scientific work. Without this personal commitment, the lecture series would not have been possible,” says PD Dr Thomas Brehm, BREATHE project lead.

“I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Infectious Diseases Jeopardy quiz and to be part of this outstanding lecture series. It was an honor to learn from international experts, and I deeply appreciate the knowledge, encouragement, and commitment that made this educational experience possible,” says Dr Diana Udovenko.

Digital teaching is one component of this long-term collaboration. In the coming winter semester, the exchange is set to continue with a further lecture series covering a range of topics in respiratory medicine.

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