War destroys everything, even science. In order to help Ukrainian science forward NWO collaborates with the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU). For the NWO Hop-On Call for Researchers Based in Ukraine, six projects received a grant for a total of 110.000 euro. One of the projects that is funded is the home-based digital screening program for atrial fibrillation in high-risk patients by Prof. Dr. Folkert Asselbergs, Amsterdam UMC.

Together with dr. M. Cherska of the Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism from Kyiv, the “Check@Home”-project aims to use digital care to screen for cardiovascular and kidney diseases and diabetes. The Hop-on project focuses on detecting atrial fibrillation in diabetes patients using people’s own smartphone device. Check@Home uses the phone’s camera and flash to detect atrial fibrillation offering a low-cost and accessible screening tool. Detected cases prompt advanced screening using echocardiography, facilitating early treatment. This initiative may serve as an example of remote care, which is crucial in the current Ukrainian circumstances.