Solutions from Ukraine: Ministry of Health cooperates with partners to establish modern center for rehabilitating war-affected children

The Ministry of Health, Lviv National Medical University named after Danylo Halytsky, and the Foundation of Children's Hospital and Research Institute "Nadiia" (based in Finland) have signed a memorandum of cooperation. This cooperation aims to establish a Rehabilitation Center at the university to provide physical and psychological rehabilitation for Ukrainian children who have suffered losses, injuries, and trauma as a result of the full-scale war.

The Ministry of Health reported this.

What is the problem?

Since 2014, Russia's war of aggression has taken a toll on Ukraine, including children. One of the key aspects in times of war is the physical and psychological well-being of children, which is where rehabilitation centers come into play. These centers offer much-needed support and resources to Ukrainian children affected by Russia's war.

Rehabilitation centers provide a safe and nurturing environment for war-affected children. These children have experienced and witnessed traumatic events, such as displacement, loss of loved ones, and exposure to violence. The centers offer a safe space where they can receive emotional support and counseling to cope with their experiences. This is crucial as trauma and stress can have long-term effects on a child's mental health if not addressed promptly.

Moreover, rehabilitation centers offer medical and physical rehabilitation services to children with injuries or disabilities caused by the war.

What is the solution?

"Thanks to the active support and help of our international partners, particularly the Nadiia Foundation, we plan to create a new and powerful rehabilitation center based at the Lviv Medical University, where young patients can undergo the necessary treatment and rehabilitation. I am grateful to all partners for such powerful support of Ukraine in developing the rehabilitation system in the health care field in tough times," Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said.

The memorandum includes the plan to create a children's medical rehabilitation center to provide high-quality physical and psychological rehabilitation care.

How does it work?

The memorandum will establish a pediatric medical rehabilitation center. The center will offer high-quality physical and psychological rehabilitation assistance and consist of a virtual hospital, a rehabilitation center, and a research institute:

• The rehabilitation center will specialize in inpatient and outpatient pediatric care.
• The virtual hospital will utilize telemedicine and provide international support and triage for outpatient rehabilitation.
• The research institute will focus on sharing European rehabilitation practices and developing new best practices.
• A training center will be included to train and license specialists and disseminate these practices within Ukraine and beyond.

As per the memorandum, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine will advocate for the implementation of telemedicine technologies and the inclusion of the virtual hospital in other medical facilities. It will also facilitate the sharing of information with international scientific institutions in the field of medical rehabilitation and oversee the establishment of a rehabilitation center within the national network of healthcare institutions, among other responsibilities.

The foundation's task is to attract international experts to support and train Ukrainian specialists, implement advanced European practices in the Research Center's activities, provide financing for the Rehabilitation Center's construction and equipment, etc.

The Lviv Medical University will support the implementation of telemedicine solutions, establish a Virtual Hospital and Research Center within its healthcare institutions, conduct research on rehabilitation methods, and assist in creating a Rehabilitation Center by leveraging the university's expertise, resources, and experience in providing medical services.

According to the Ministry of Health, Finland's successful experience creating the New Children's Hospital in 2017 will be used to implement the project.

The Nadiia Foundation plans to finance the project for the next 5-7 years. The Virtual Hospital is estimated to cost around 10 million euros, while the Rehabilitation Center will require 50 million euros. Additional funds will be raised through the implementation of the Medical Guarantee Program. The foundation will also support the development of a Research Center in the initial phase.

For reference:

Since the start of the Russian invasion in February of 2022, over 100 civilian medical personnel have lost their lives due to Russian bombardment. A total of 1,877 medical facilities and 876 pharmacies were either harmed or completely destroyed, while 20% of ambulances sustained damage.

Currently, 885 medical facilities have been entirely and partially restored in Ukraine. In particular, 530 medical facilities were wholly restored, and another 355 were partially restored.