The “Strengthened” (Zmitsneni) communication campaign on free rehabilitation has been launched in Ukraine
The National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and with the support of the Rehab4U project, has launched the “Strengthened” information campaign dedicated to free rehabilitation.
The campaign aims to give people simple, practical answers: where and how to get rehabilitation care, who is on the rehabilitation team, and why it is important not to put off recovery.
Key messages of the campaign:
- Rehabilitation care in Ukraine is free for patients and is covered by the Program of Medical Guarantees.
- Rehabilitation is based on evidence-based approaches and is provided by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
- Everyone who needs rehabilitation can receive it.
Why does this matter?
According to estimates, nearly 250,000 patients in Ukraine need rehabilitation every year. That is more than the population of Ivano-Frankivsk or Ternopil. And the need in society continues to grow.
Although rehabilitation is part of the state-guaranteed package of medical services, many people do not know where to get a referral, expect high costs, or believe it is “too late” to start. As a result, they put off recovery — even when they need help right now.
“Strengthened” will help overcome these barriers with clear information and step-by-step explanations: how the system works, what exactly the state covers, what forms of care are available, and how to choose a facility that provides rehabilitation services.
What will the campaign materials include?
The campaign will distribute:
- short explanations of patient pathways (how to get a referral and what to do next);
- materials about who is on the rehabilitation team and the role of each specialist;
- answers to frequently asked questions (about free access, availability, duration and formats of rehabilitation);
- stories of patients and rehabilitation specialists — about their daily work, access to recovery, and results that give people back the ability to live more actively.
For reference:
Rehabilitation services in Ukraine are provided free of charge under the packages of the Program of Medical Guarantees, on an outpatient and inpatient basis, for everyone who needs them. Up to 8 cycles per year are available for conditions caused by amputations or severe injuries, and up to 26 cycles for multiple limb amputations. The length of each cycle is determined by when the rehabilitation goals are achieved. In addition, a new rehabilitation service has been introduced that rehabilitation specialists provide on their own in local communities, which will significantly improve access to such care.
Currently, more than 500 healthcare facilities provide outpatient rehabilitation care for adults and children, and more than 300 provide inpatient care. To get a referral, contact your family doctor or attending physician. To learn more about how to get rehabilitation, call the NHSU contact center at 16-77.
Rehabilitation services in Ukraine are being developed in line with the principles of the national initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, “Barrier-free is when you can”.
This material was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Government. The contents are the responsibility of Momentum Wheels for Humanity and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government.
