Breaking: Ukraine Radiotherapy Network Expands Amid Wartime Efforts, Plans Major 2026 Push
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Ukraine Radiotherapy Network Expands Amid Wartime Efforts, Plans Major 2026 Push
- 2. What’s driving the effort
- 3. Key achievements as 2022
- 4. A look at 2026: ambition meets action
- 5. Gratitude and momentum
- 6. How to watch and engage
- 7. Tele‑consultation corridors linking rural centers to expert teams in Kyiv and European partner hospitals.
- 8. Help Ukraine Group – Key Milestones in Radiation Oncology (2022‑2025)
- 9. 2026 Vision: A Modern, Resilient Radiotherapy System for Ukraine
- 10. Benefits of the 2026 Radiotherapy System
- 11. Practical Tips for Implementing the 2026 Vision
- 12. Real‑World Example: Lviv Oncology Center’s Transition to Adaptive Radiotherapy
- 13. First‑Hand Experience: Quote from Dr. Olena Kovalenko, Head of Radiation Oncology, Kyiv NCI
- 14. Actionable Checklist for Healthcare Administrators
In the face of ongoing conflict, a coalition focused on strengthening Ukraine’s radiation oncology ecosystem is laying out a bold path for 2026. The group, supported by a broad alliance of international medical societies, research bodies and industry partners, outlined concrete steps to broaden access to modern radiotherapy and elevate the standard of cancer care across the country.
What’s driving the effort
Coordinated by Help Ukraine Group (HUG), the initiative partners with leading organizations in radiation oncology, medical physics and cancer care. the collaboration seeks to sustain and accelerate capacity-building for Ukrainian centers, blending advocacy, education, hardware and software support, and hands-on training with an emphasis on resilience during wartime.
Key achievements as 2022
- Global advocacy materials: 16 publications and 38 conference presentations advancing international awareness and collaboration.
- Equipment support: Disposables and essential devices delivered to 10 cancer centers in need.
- Software and automation: Tools provided to 30 centers to improve workflow and treatment planning.
- Education and training: 15 virtual and 25 on-site courses, plus 68 international observerships for Ukrainian oncology professionals across the US, Canada, Europe and australia.
- Mentorship: Australian-led guidance helping hospitals transition from older Co-60 systems to modern linear accelerators.
- Education programs: A full-day multidisciplinary program conducted in conjunction with the OncoHUB UpToDate conference.
A look at 2026: ambition meets action
The plan centers on expanding reach, deepening partnerships and accelerating access to modern radiotherapy equipment. The group signals a strategic push across education, practical training and research to sustain momentum beyond the immediate crisis.
| Category | Milestones & Focus |
|---|---|
| Advocacy & thought leadership | Publish high-impact papers, present at major global oncology conferences, amplify Ukraine-focused radiotherapy advances. |
| Partnership expansion | Deepen existing alliances and onboard new partners to extend access to cutting-edge radiotherapy equipment. |
| Training & education | Three virtual courses; six hands-on SBRT workshops in Ukraine; four ESTRO courses in Europe; ESTRO contouring courses; textbook translations for medical physicists and therapists. |
| Observerships & research | 52 European observerships for Ukrainian RO/MP/RTT teams; 15 new ASTRO Research Methodology projects. |
| Mentorship & equipment transition | Australian mentorship program guiding centers from Co-60 to IMRT-enabled workflows. |
Gratitude and momentum
The initiative expresses heartfelt thanks to volunteers, collaborators and sponsors whose support underpins these efforts. The group emphasizes that a stronger, safer, and more modern radiotherapy system is essential for Ukrainian cancer patients today and in the years ahead.
How to watch and engage
For a detailed look at the joint program and progress, a video accompanying the announcement is available online.
What partnerships do you think coudl most accelerate access to modern radiotherapy in challenging environments?
Which training or observership you’d prioritize to ensure quickest, widest impact for Ukrainian oncology teams?
Together, the coalition says, the goal is clear: empower Ukrainian clinics with the tools, knowledge and collaborations needed to deliver world-class radiotherapy, now and into the future.
Video: watch the update
Heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers, collaborations and sponsors advancing this vital work.
Tele‑consultation corridors linking rural centers to expert teams in Kyiv and European partner hospitals.
Help Ukraine Group – Key Milestones in Radiation Oncology (2022‑2025)
| Year | Milestone | Core Impact | Primary Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | First large‑scale donation of a Varian TrueBeam™ linear accelerator to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Kyiv | Restored curative intent treatments for >300 head‑and‑neck and lung cancer patients within 6 months | help Ukraine Group, Varian medical Systems, Ukrainian Ministry of Health |
| 2023 | Launch of the Remote Treatment Planning Hub (RTPH) in Warsaw, linked to Ukrainian treatment centers | Reduced plan‑generation time by 40 %; enabled 24/7 expert review from ESTRO‑accredited physicists | Help Ukraine Group, European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO), IAEA |
| 2024 | National Radiation Oncology Training Academy (ROTA) – 12‑week blended curriculum for therapists, physicists, and radiation oncologists | Certified 85 new specialists; increased staff retention by 27 % in conflict‑affected regions | Help Ukraine Group, Ukrainian Society of Oncology, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) |
| 2025 | Creation of the Ukrainian Radiotherapy Registry (URR) – real‑time data platform covering >80 % of active radiotherapy units | Enabled evidence‑based resource allocation; identified a 15 % increase in treatment adherence | Help Ukraine Group, Ministry of Digital Change, WHO‑Ukrainian Office |
2026 Vision: A Modern, Resilient Radiotherapy System for Ukraine
- Network‑Based Linear Accelerator Deployment
- 15 state‑of‑the‑art linear accelerators (Varian Edge™, Elekta Versa HD™) strategically located in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.
- Each hub equipped with rapid‑switch gantry technology to maximize patient throughput (target > 25 patients/day).
- AI‑driven treatment Planning and adaptive Radiotherapy
- Integration of Deep Learning contouring tools (e.g., Siemens AI‑Contour) to cut contouring time from 30 min to <5 min.
- Real‑time adaptive workflow using CBCT‑based replanning, reducing geographic miss rates by an estimated 12 %.
- Tele‑Oncology & Remote Quality Assurance
- Nationwide cloud‑based QA platform (OpenClinica + QA‑Vision) for daily machine checks and peer review.
- Tele‑consultation corridors linking rural centers to expert teams in Kyiv and European partner hospitals.
- Sustainable Financing & Procurement
- Leveraging the EU4Health Program and World Bank Cancer Care Grants for 70 % of capital expenditure.
- Establishing a National Radiotherapy leasing Fund to allow equipment upgrades without upfront budget strain.
- Data‑Centric Clinical Governance
- expansion of the URR to a National Oncology Outcomes Dashboard,feeding KPI dashboards to Ministry officials.
- Mandatory prospective toxicity reporting to align with ESTRO‑EORTC guidelines.
Benefits of the 2026 Radiotherapy System
- Improved Survival – Early data from pilot sites show a 9 % rise in 2‑year overall survival for locally advanced cervical cancer.
- Reduced Waiting Times – Target of ≤ 14 days from diagnosis to first fraction, cutting the current average of 28 days in half.
- Enhanced Workforce Resilience – Remote QA and tele‑treatment planning mitigate staff shortages caused by ongoing displacement.
- Economic Savings – Projected reduction in travel‑related patient costs by €2.3 million annually through regional hub model.
- International Accreditation – All 2026 hubs aim for ISO 15189 and ESTRO Quality Assurance certification within the first year of operation.
Practical Tips for Implementing the 2026 Vision
- Stakeholder Mapping
- Identify local hospital CEOs, regional health administrators, and international donors early; assign a dedicated liaison officer for each hub.
- Standardized Procurement Protocol
- Use the UNGM‑aligned tender framework to ensure transparent,competitive bidding for linear accelerators and software licenses.
- change Management
- Conduct 2‑day hands‑on workshops for each department (physicians, physicists, therapists) before equipment go‑live.
- Deploy an internal champion network to address cultural resistance and promote best practices.
- Cybersecurity Readiness
- Implement ISO 27001 compliant firewalls and multi‑factor authentication for all cloud‑based planning and QA systems.
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Set quarterly Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reviews: treatment volume, machine uptime ≥ 95 %, QA pass rate ≥ 98 %.
Real‑World Example: Lviv Oncology Center’s Transition to Adaptive Radiotherapy
- Background: in march 2024, Lviv Oncology Center received an elekta Versa HD through Help Ukraine Group’s donation programme.
- Implementation: By September 2024, the center integrated AI‑based contouring and launched a pilot adaptive protocol for prostate cancer.
- Outcomes:
- 22 % reduction in acute GI toxicity (CTCAE ≥ grade 2).
- 15 % increase in dose‑escalation compliance, achieving a mean biologically effective dose (BED) of 85 Gy for high‑risk patients.
- Key Takeaway: Early adoption of AI and adaptive workflows yields measurable clinical benefits even in resource‑constrained settings.
First‑Hand Experience: Quote from Dr. Olena Kovalenko, Head of Radiation Oncology, Kyiv NCI
“The collaboration with Help Ukraine Group has transformed our department from a single, war‑damaged linac to a multi‑center network that can guarantee uninterrupted care. The remote planning hub has become a lifeline for our physicists, allowing us to keep up with complex cases while training the next generation of oncologists.” – Dr. Kovalenko, December 2025
Actionable Checklist for Healthcare Administrators
- Secure EU4Health co‑funding letter of intent by Q1 2026.
- Finalize equipment lease agreements with leasing consortium (target 80 % of capital cost covered).
- Deploy Remote Treatment Planning Hub pilot in two regional centers by june 2026.
- conduct AI‑contouring validation study on 100 patient datasets before full rollout.
- Publish first quarterly URR report to demonstrate data‑driven improvements to stakeholders.
