BREATHE - Building REspirAtory and infecTious disease Education And HEalthcare capacity in Ukraine
BREATHE – Building REspirAtory and infecTious disease Education And HEalthcare capacity in Ukraine is a German–Ukrainian partnership dedicated to strengthening healthcare, education, and clinical expertise in infectious diseases and respiratory medicine.
Supported within the Hospital Partnerships Programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ, the project responds to the urgent need to reinforce healthcare systems in Ukraine during a time of crisis. BREATHE empowers healthcare professionals through education, collaboration, and innovation. By combining online learning, international clinical exchange, and hands-on training, the project creates sustainable structures for knowledge transfer and patient care.
At its core is a Training of Trainers approach: equipping Ukrainian clinicians not only with expertise, but with the tools to become educators and leaders in their own institutions. In doing so, BREATHE builds lasting capacity, strengthens resilience, and contributes to a more equitable and future-ready healthcare system in Ukraine.
Participating Organizations and People
BREATHE is powered by a strong international network of dedicated institutions and experts committed to improving healthcare in Ukraine.
The project is led by the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center (Germany) in close collaboration with leading Ukrainian partners, including V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, and the National TB Program of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
Behind these institutions stands a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, and educators who share a common goal: to improve patient care through knowledge, collaboration, and solidarity.
The network continues to grow, welcoming new partners and experts who want to contribute to strengthening healthcare capacity in Ukraine.
Weekly Consilium on TB and NTM
Every week, experts from Ukraine and Germany come together in a virtual consilium to discuss complex cases of tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases.
Through shared expertise and real-time collaboration, participants develop tailored, evidence-based treatment strategies for their patients.
The consilium bridges geographical distances, supports clinicians in resource-limited settings, and directly contributes to improving patient outcomes across Ukraine.
Lecture Series on Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine
The BREATHE lecture series provides structured online teaching in infectious diseases and respiratory medicine for students and healthcare professionals across Ukraine.
Lectures are delivered by experts from Europe and around the world and are held regularly via ZOOM. Participation is open to all interested participants. Recordings are available as videos on demand, allowing flexible access and review.
The program follows a semester-based structure, with a focus on infectious diseases in the summer semester and respiratory medicine in the winter semester.
Designed to be practical and clinically relevant, the lecture series supports continuous learning and strengthens medical education in a flexible and accessible format.
Academy Course on Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine
The BREATHE Academy offers intensive, in-person training for students and young physicians, focusing on practical clinical skills, case-based learning, and interactive discussions.
Participants benefit from a collaborative learning environment, bringing together colleagues from different regions to exchange experiences and build professional networks. The courses are jointly delivered by international and local faculty, ensuring both global perspectives and relevance to local clinical practice.
In 2026, the project will support Ukrainian physicians in participating in the TBnet Academy in Vilnius, Lithuania, providing additional opportunities for advanced training and international exchange.
Course in Clinical Tuberculosis
Selected Ukrainian physicians participate each year in the Course in Clinical Tuberculosis in Borstel, Germany. This immersive program offers cutting-edge knowledge, direct interaction with international experts, and exposure to advanced clinical and laboratory practices. Participants return as ambassadors of knowledge-sharing what they have learned and strengthening care in their home institutions. In this way, the course not only educates individuals but extends across the healthcare system.