Ukraine at SEEC 2026: Doctors on What Matters Most

From March 5 to 7, 2026, leading specialists gathered in Tbilisi for the 13th South Eastern European Cystic Fibrosis Conference (SEEC 2026).

Among the many participants were doctors from Ukraine. Our patients, our doctors, and our community were достойно represented by:

– Halyna Vasylivna Makukh (Lviv), Head of the Regional Newborn Screening Center, geneticist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, and Head of the Genetic Laboratory.

– Olena Ivanivna Vashchuk (Lviv), Head of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center in the Lviv region, physician of the highest qualification category, and pulmonologist.

– Tetiana Ivanivna Okul (Zaporizhzhia), pediatric pulmonologist of the highest qualification category, allergy specialist, and Head of the Pulmonology Department.

They listened, learned, shared their experience, and brought home valuable knowledge from the world of cystic fibrosis.

Today, we are pleased to give our doctors the floor and invite you to read their impressions and conclusions from this important event.

Olena Ivanivna Vashchuk:

“Good afternoon! The conference was well organized. Most of the expert speakers were from Germany. A major role was played by Katarina Stepankova, who, in my opinion, served as a bridge, if I may put it that way, between the Caucasus and Western Europe.

At present, these republics are only at the beginning of their journey: genetic diagnostics has mostly just been introduced, specialists are being trained to perform sweat chloride testing, and these patients are mainly managed by geneticists, only rarely by pediatricians. Practically no one takes care of adults, and there are hardly any statistics on adult patients.

There is poor access to medications (as I understood it, in Kyrgyzstan even Creon is bought by parents themselves…). However, there are active patient organizations that are beginning to establish contacts with other organizations, including a patient organization in Latvia. Many doctors attended the conference, so there will probably be people to treat such patients in the future. All the republics are participating in the Twinning program, so there is hope that the process will move forward. Without a doubt, it is difficult for everyone.

The first day was meaningful and full of valuable content. It was especially significant that the conference was opened by Ukrainian specialists, who presented the experience of establishing and developing cystic fibrosis care in Ukraine over the past 25 years, as well as the specific challenges of supporting patients in frontline regions, particularly in Zaporizhzhia. It was gratifying that Tetiana Okul’s presentation showed how far our cystic fibrosis school has advanced, and that now even our specialists can share their experience with others.

I believe even the Europeans were surprised by the discussion of newborn screening and public procurement in Ukraine during the war. Together with our European colleagues, we discussed modern standards of diagnosis and patient management, treatment of infectious exacerbations, antibacterial and mucolytic therapy, physiotherapy, and nutritional support. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that a patient’s body weight is just as important an indicator as microbiological status.

We also considered gastroenterological complications, the development of diabetes, and clinical cases involving emergency conditions: DIOS, hemoptysis, and pneumothorax. The productive discussion and high level of organization once again confirmed the importance of international cooperation in the field of cystic fibrosis.

I was also personally impressed by how genuinely Georgia supports Ukraine and Ukrainians. I was very pleasantly surprised.”

Halyna Vasylivna Makukh:

“The forum brought together cystic fibrosis specialists from fourteen different countries. The conference was organized by the European Cystic Fibrosis Society and the Twinning project with the aim of sharing experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis.

What indicators can demonstrate success in caring for these patients?

• average life expectancy (with no deaths in childhood; the vast majority of patients being over 18 years old; and people aging with CF);

• quality of life (being able to study, work, and have children).

In European countries, these indicators for patients with cystic fibrosis are approaching those of the general population. And indeed, a long and high-quality life for people with cystic fibrosis is our community’s shared goal.

There is a major difference between the countries of the European Union and, for example, the South Caucasus, where only the first steps in the field of cystic fibrosis are now being taken. We represent Ukraine’s experience and are glad to speak about the changes and achievements that already exist in our country, especially compared with the situation 20–25 years ago.

We can be proud that, despite the military aggression of the Russian empire, in Ukraine:

• medical care for patients with cystic fibrosis continues to be provided;

• state programs for medication supply are in place;

• newborn screening has not been interrupted, and diagnostics have even improved;

• patients are receiving innovative CFTR modulator therapy.

And our experience is valuable for other countries that are only beginning their journey in the field of rare diseases.”