In Cherkasy, Médecins Sans Frontières has launched an early rehabilitation project for people who have suffered severe injuries and amputations as a result of the fighting. Medical teams use a multidisciplinary approach that combines physical therapy, psychological support and wound care.
Read also: Deputy Chief Coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières in Ukraine Andriy Slavutskyi: Our task is to support access to decent medicine
According to Tankred Stebe, medical coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières in Ukraine, the assistance includes pain management, nursing care and restoration of limb function. Mental health support is an essential part of the process. According to him, all patients with severe injuries also face emotional consequences, so psychologists work with them.
A key feature of the approach is the timeliness of the intervention: rehabilitation begins as soon as the wounded person’s condition is stabilised, usually within the first few days or a week. This reduces the risk of complications and facilitates further recovery. This early support is becoming a new standard for the Ukrainian healthcare system.
Patients, according to Stebe, have never heard of this technique before and note its positive impact on the quality of life after injury. However, despite the successes, there is still a significant deficit in rehabilitation in Ukraine, and most wounded do not receive sufficient recovery.
In addition to Cherkasy, Médecins Sans Frontières has integrated an early rehabilitation programme in Odesa. At the end of May, the project was transferred to the local regional hospital. The international organisation also provides training for Ukrainian doctors to develop national capacities in this area.
Read also: Rehabilitation in Ukraine after war trauma: the experience of Médecins Sans Frontières
