(Jackson, MS) – A delegation of Ukrainian professionals hosted by Jackson State University’s International Visitors Center say they consider their trip to the U.S. a success after learning more about health care systems in rural areas that serve the poor.
The group was gathering information they can use as their country begins implementing a new health care system. Their visit was part of the Open World Project implemented by FHI360, a nonprofit, human development organization.
The Ukrainian delegates are physicians and attorneys. JSU hosted the group March 21-29.
While in Mississippi, they met with congressional leaders or their representatives, university faculty and state elected leaders. They also visited health facilities, including Jackson Medical Mall and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The meetings focused on a comparative analysis of their country’s judicial system and government, civil and human rights and health and human services with that of the U.S.
Those participating were Serhiy Volodymyrovych Hushcha, head of the executive committee for Radyvyliv City Council; Dr. Ruslana Volodymyrivna Kharkovenko, associate professor, Department of Social Medicine and Health Care, M.I. Pyrohiv Vinnytsya National Medical University; Dr. Iryna Anatoliyivna Polokhach, chief specialist at the Department of Medical and Preventive Care, Kryvyy Rih City Council; Olha Bohdanivna Semenyuk, chief specialist lawyer, Lutsk City Council Public Health Department and Hanna Ihorivna Antonova, consultant, International Organization for Migration.
“What is really important for us is community involvement in implementing public health programs,” said Dr. Volodymyrivna. “We wanted to see how the most vulnerable people are taken care of, such as the uninsured and low-income.”
JSU’s International Visitors Center was established in 1976 with a mission to strengthen and improve mutual understanding between international visitors and the citizens of Mississippi. It is the only international visitors center on the campus of a historically black university or college.
“Our center hosts international professionals from around the world, and the majority of them are being groomed to be future leaders in their respective countries,” said Shirley Harrison, local program coordinator for the center.
For more information, contact Harrison at 601-979-1600.