Ukraine implements new burn treatment standards based on European and North American expertise
New standards for treating burns, which are based on the experience of Europe and North America, were introduced by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine; however, with the improvement of the quality of treatment, the price of services will also increase.
The Ukrainian government reported that on its website.
What is the problem?
According to the ministry's report, the number of Ukrainians with burn injuries continuously increases. This includes the brave soldiers risking their lives in the fires of war and innocent civilians impacted by frequent Russian rocket strikes.
Therefore, in the context of active hostilities, the department noted that the issue of medical and rehabilitation assistance to patients with burn injuries has become very relevant.
"Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has significantly increased the number of people who need treatment for burn injuries and rehabilitation services. In addition to everyday injuries, military personnel and civilians burned by the realities of hostilities have been added. They all receive medical aid from the state and evidence-based rehabilitation", – the Ministry of Health explains its decision.
Today, the department continues to send patients with severe burns abroad. However, the appropriate standard and work on improving the qualifications of Ukrainian combustion doctors will be able to bring European-level treatment closer to Ukrainians.
What is the solution?
"The basis of the standard was the protocols and guidelines of the world's leading countries with a progressive medical system. Since this document is primarily based on the experience of Europe and North America, Ukrainians with burn injuries will receive medical assistance and treatment at the world level," explained the Minister of Health Viktor Liashko of Ukraine.
How does it work?
He also noted that the new standard guarantees that "regardless of the medical facility, the patient will receive proper treatment."
"Its goal is to provide a single algorithm for all departments and centers that work with the relevant trauma.
This approach will reduce the number of errors and improve the quality and efficiency of care. This, in turn, will make it possible to save as many lives as possible of patients with a large area of burn damage," Liashko added.
It is also noted that the document, for the first time, introduces mandatory provision of rehabilitation assistance during treatment, increasing the chances of patients returning to a full-fledged life. In addition, quality rehabilitation care is essential in managing scarring and reducing swelling.
"Since the cost of services and materials will increase significantly, it is planned to significantly increase the tariff for the treatment of burns, which is included in the Medical Guarantee Program of the National Health Service of Ukraine," the Ministry of Health emphasized.
The ministry notes that several training programs are currently in place for specialists working with this type of injury to speed up the introduction of the new standard of care.
"Within the framework of the agreements reached as a result of the meeting of the First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda, and the First Lady of Ukraine, Mrs. Olena Zelenska, 40 Ukrainian doctors, including combustion doctors, anesthesiologists, doctors of physical and rehabilitation medicine, and physical therapists, who work with patients with severe burn injuries, have undergone intensive training at the Independent Public Health Care Center in Łęczna," reports the Ministry of Health.
At the same time, as part of the personal agreements of the Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, and the Minister of Health of Germany, Karl Lauterbach, 58 Ukrainian doctors received advanced training in providing medical assistance to patients with severe burn injuries.
The internship took place in the burn centers of Bochum, Berlin, Hamburg, Duisburg, Murnau, and Ludwigshafen.
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It should be noted that a rehabilitation center has opened in the regional clinical hospital named after Yuriy Semeniuk in Rivne. There, doctors can treat military personnel after injuries and wounds. Ukrainian civilians will also be able to undergo rehabilitation.
