Zaporizhzhia and Oberhausen enhance cooperation in the healthcare sector

As part of a collaborative project, Zaporizhzhia and its sister city Oberhausen are working together to support City Hospital No. 4.

Thanks to this partnership, the hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation and physiotherapy department has received new equipment, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The first exercise machines have already arrived and are being used by occupational and physical therapists. By the end of June, a total of five rehabilitation devices will have been delivered to the hospital.

Last week, an online conference brought together healthcare professionals from both Zaporizhzhia and Oberhausen. The event was attended by the heads of municipal departments — Anna Dub from Zaporizhzhia and Charlotte Weber from Oberhausen — along with medical staff from City Hospital No. 4 and AMEOS Reha Zentrum Oberhausen.

During the meeting, the Zaporizhzhia team shared insights into how the hospital operates during wartime and presented their plans for developing rehabilitation services. Both sides gave brief presentations on the organization of rehabilitation care in their respective cities. Despite differences in legislation and funding mechanisms, the participants found many similarities in their approaches and challenges.

This was the first event aimed at fostering knowledge exchange between doctors from the two sister cities. It is expected to pave the way for further collaboration. In July, a delegation from City Hospital No. 4 will travel to Oberhausen for a study visit. There, they will observe the operations of the local rehabilitation center and engage directly with its staff. This visit is also supported by BMZ.

The project is expected to inspire continued dialogue between healthcare professionals from both cities, through future video conferences and potential new joint initiatives.