For almost three years now, Ukraine has been running a unique rehabilitation initiative called Neopalimi, which provides free assistance to military personnel, veterans and civilians affected by the war. The project specialises in treating deformative injuries, including burns, scars, and keloids, as well as the effects of mine and explosive wounds, bullet wounds, and shrapnel injuries. The team pays particular attention to the recovery of those who have returned from captivity, both physically and psychologically.
Co-founder of the initiative Maksym Turkevych said that the Neopalymy team brings together more than 35 private clinics throughout Ukraine — from Uzhhorod to Kharkiv — as well as two clinics in Europe. All services for patients are free of charge, despite the fact that they involve high-tech treatment using laser technologies, pharmaceuticals (in particular, polynucleotides and exosomes), and in more complex cases — surgery and the participation of narrow-profile specialists.
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The rehabilitation process is unique because, at the time the project was launched, there were virtually no protocols for treating combat deformity injuries in the world. According to Turkevych, consultations were held with doctors from dozens of countries, but even in medically advanced countries such as the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom, there was no established experience in working with these types of injuries. Therefore, Neopalimyi independently developed treatment methods that are now being used in practice.
In addition to working with scars, the team also removes traumatic tattoos — residues of gunpowder or micro-fragments that penetrate the skin as a result of explosions. This is a complex field that requires specific knowledge and technologies that go far beyond traditional cosmetology.
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The project is funded through the voluntary participation of doctors and the support of partners who provide consumables and equipment. The doctors themselves do not receive remuneration, but they are not required to cover the cost of medicines or drugs at their own expense.
You can become a patient of the programme by filling out a registration form on the initiative’s website. The application is then forwarded to case managers and undergoes a medical review, which evaluates each case individually.
Today, Neopalimye’s activities are not only an example of effective self-organisation within the medical community, but also a unique contribution to the development of post-war rehabilitation medicine in Ukraine.
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