6-year-old Maryna is learning to walk again. She had her left leg partly amputated after a Russian strike on her home in Kherson.
By Brendan Hoffman / The New York Times
Physical rehabilitation of the victims of war
The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant number of injuries and disabilities among civilians and defenders, which puts excessive pressure on the healthcare system in general, and especially on the rehabilitation system.
Problems in the rehabilitation system of Ukraine
Problems in the rehabilitation system of Ukraine, such as different technical and staffing levels of rehabilitation facilities, low educational level of rehabilitation specialists and lack of a multidisciplinary and evidence-based approach to providing quality rehabilitation services, needed to be addressed even before the full-scale Russian invasion, and have been significantly exacerbated by the military situation in the country and a large number of injured.
19-years-old Danylo in a rehabilitation center in the west of Ukraine. The young serviceman returned after 46 days in Russian captivity, where he lost both feet, left hand, and fingers on the right hand. But his main goal was to survive – and he did. June 2022.
By Philippe de Poulpiquet
Ukrainian defender Serhii lost his leg in the battle near Izium, in the Kharkiv region. In this photo, he holds his newborn son.
By Marta Syrko
Right now, hospitals are flooded by patients with complex injuries that require a long-term rehabilitation process, such as:
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Mine-explosive injuries
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Amputated limbs
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Severe burns
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Combined injuries
The medical facilities are unprepared to provide quality rehabilitation services for a variety of reasons:
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Lack of trained staff
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Lack of a multidisciplinary and evidence-based know how in providing quality rehabilitation services
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Absence of specialized rehabilitation equipment
What can be done
Complex issues like this one require comprehensive approaches, such that address the matter at all key levels:
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Policy making
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Human capital development
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Technical capacity building
There is consortium or organizations and government entities that are working collaboratively on this matter each playing a unique role in the system:
Government:
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Develops policy and public programs.
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Designates facilities to develop expertise in the field.
Expert organizations:
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Build knowhow and educational programs to prepare professionals working in the field.
NGOs Community:
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Advocacy
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Funding
Through this collaboration gradually it is possible to develop one by one rehabilitation centers around Ukraine. This requires a significant investment because each facility needs:
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Basic rehabilitation equipment
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Assistive technology
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Training
To fully equip one facility the overall investment may vary between $100-130,000.
UA Brokers’ role
We feel strong compassion to those that are most affected by this unjust war. And we believe in the need to build the resiliency of Ukrainian institutions to further endure Russian aggression.
We therefore commit to a fundraiser aimed to collect funds that will be invested in the development of rehabilitation centers in Ukraine. The project will be carried out in partnership with “Patients of Ukraine” – Ukrainian NGO that is driven by a noble mission to ensure access to medical care to all patients in Ukraine.
The funds will be used to procure the rehabilitation equipment and cover the personnel capacity building expenses.
It is important to note that this project is in line with the plans and efforts of key stakeholders in the healthcare sector in Ukraine, including the Ministry of Health.
19-years-old Ukrainian defender Ruslana Danilkina lost her leg at the frontline. February 27, 2023.
By Konstantyn and Vlada Liberov
