In 2025, the need for rehabilitation services in Ukraine increased amid a full-scale war and a general deterioration in medical indicators. According to official data from the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the year alone, more than 144,000 patients have undergone the necessary rehabilitation: about 80,000 on an outpatient basis and 56,600 in an inpatient setting. More than 12,000 rehabilitation sessions are held across the country every day. The Cabinet of Ministers has earmarked UAH 5.8 billion for rehabilitation services in 2025, almost three times more than before the war. In the first quarter of 2025, the state also allocated more than UAH 1 billion for auxiliary equipment: 27,000 people received about 90,000 prostheses and orthoses. A number of innovations are trying to relieve pressure on hospitals: for example, starting in 2025, patients will be able to receive rehabilitation services at home or in the community.
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The main challenges of the system
Along with the growth in the volume of assistance, the rehabilitation system faces numerous challenges. Experts point to a lack of funding and resources. Representatives of medical institutions say that the state NHSU packages do not cover the full costs of medical institutions, especially for complex operations (for example, implantation of artificial valves). According to Iryna Sysoyenko of the Academy of Medical Sciences, “there is a catastrophic lack of state funding” – part of the resources are redirected to the needs of the army, and patients often do not receive the full course of treatment due to bureaucracy. In wartime, the country loses economic resources, and the needs of military medicine come first.
Infrastructure and personnel also leave much to be desired. At the end of 2024, there were several hundred rehabilitation centres, hundreds of hospital departments and rehabilitation centres in Ukraine. However, many of them exist “only on paper” – without the necessary equipment. In times of war, there is a particular shortage of qualified rehabilitation therapists and physiotherapists. Old Soviet techniques are still being practised, as there are no established standards for rehabilitation procedures in Ukraine. This situation makes it difficult to receive modern services even when a patient is formally provided with them: for example, 57% of respondents declare themselves satisfied, but this may not reflect the actual quality of treatment.
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Rehabilitation of the military
Rehabilitation has become critically important for wounded and veterans, but it has its own complications. The armed forces need thousands of services – tens of thousands of soldiers sought psychological help and physical rehabilitation in 2024, but “the real need for such services is many times greater.” Military hospitals are simply not designed to handle such loads, so the Ministry of Defence has announced a large-scale project called “Recovery and Health Centres”. By the end of 2025, four interregional rehabilitation centres are to be launched, with a capacity of up to 1,730 military personnel at a time. The programme includes medical treatment, physiotherapy, psychological support and social adaptation, as well as the development of a “Wounded Person’s Package” – a set of about 30 items (adaptive clothing, hygiene products, etc.) for the first days after an injury.
However, research shows that the process of obtaining assistance for the military is often complicated by bureaucratic obstacles. For example, obtaining the status of wounded makes it difficult to start treatment and rehabilitation, so relatives have to look for facilities and coordinate the transfer of soldiers on their own. More than 70 per cent of surveyed veterans reported that their rehabilitation course was shortened or interrupted due to procedural delays, with only 11 per cent completing all the necessary stages. Many were injured in hospital but did not receive rehabilitation care in the acute period (58% of respondents). In general, soldiers are forced to undergo treatment in several different facilities before completing the course.
The barrier-free nature of medical facilities also raises concerns. Veterans face problems with accessibility: immobile or low-mobility patients complain about the lack of lifts, inclusive toilets and staff call systems. Government initiatives plan to address these shortcomings, but their implementation is still in its infancy.
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Rehabilitation of civilian patients
Civilians include people who have suffered strokes, fractures, serious illnesses, and simply those who have been injured at home or at work. According to the Ministry of Health, in 2025, people with nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders will most often seek inpatient rehabilitation. For example, more than 15,000 cases involve pinched nerves and spinal problems, almost 6,300 cases are the consequences of a stroke, and more than 3,200 cases are partial paralysis after a stroke. The most common reasons for visiting polyclinics are back pain (32,000 cases) and joint diseases (18,000). This data shows that many people need physical therapy and help with their locomotion.
At the same time, there are complaints about the irrational use of resources. Experts note that currently, rehabilitation beds are often occupied by patients with minor problems (for example, middle-aged women with lumbar pain) who can be treated on an outpatient basis. As a result, patients with serious illnesses and injuries may not be admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. In a time of war, this situation is inappropriate, as critical resources should be directed to those who are truly severely injured or disabled.
At the same time, there is a lack of unified standards. There are still no uniform rehabilitation protocols in Ukraine: outdated methods are used, and patients may receive different approaches from different specialists. This fragmentation often reduces the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the state continues to build the network: in 2025, it is planned to establish a rehabilitation department in every community hospital, as well as to intensify outpatient services on the ground. New technologies, telemedicine consultations, and cooperation with international clinics have been introduced in research centres, but are not yet widespread.
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