On October 2-3, a working meeting of representatives from medical universities was held to review the initial results of integrating components of the clinical management program for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders (MNSUD) according to mhGAP into educational curricula.
Sumy State University (SumDU) was represented by Viktoriia Petrashenko, Deputy Director for Educational and Methodological Work at the Scientific and Educational Medical Institute (SEMI), and Professor Irina Mudrenko, psychiatrist of the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology. During the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), Ministry of Health (MOH), and higher medical education institutions to ensure high-quality training of specialists possessing sustainable competencies in supporting the population’s mental health. Over the past year, SEMI has implemented educational components of the selective discipline cycle “Fundamentals of Mental Health” into the curricula of both medical and non-medical students, distinguishing SumDU from other medical universities within the MOH system. Additionally, a mandatory mhGAP discipline was introduced for 2nd- and 5th-year medical students. Beyond undergraduate training in mental health, the institute initiated the integration of mhGAP at the postgraduate level through a thematic continuing education cycle.
With the support of the mhGAP provider in the Sumy region, Médecins du Monde Greece (MDM GREECE), and the Regional Development Agency, 42 SumDU instructors were trained in clinical management of mental disorders under mhGAP training programs, with 14 of them achieving certification as trainers and supervisors.
Sumy State University was recognised by Minister of Health Viktor Liashko with an honorary certificate for building capacity in providing high-quality mental health services.
