Solutions from Ukraine: Kharkiv’s KARAZIN program integrates veteran rehabilitation and medical student training

The KARAZIN ReHab Rehabilitation Center was established in collaboration with the Veteran Development Center at Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University. In a recent episode of the "Side by Side" podcast on Radio "Nakypilo," experts shared details about the center's services for veterans, their families, and individuals affected by hostilities. They also discussed the cutting-edge training programs offered at the newly established center.

Rubryka writes about this.

What is the problem?

Yuliia Kalmykova, an Associate Professor in the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation at Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University and a Candidate of Physical Education and Sports, along with being a Physical Therapist, stated that the aim of establishing KARAZIN ReHab was to integrate contemporary techniques of psychophysical rehabilitation and scientific inquiry with educational and practical experience for professionals.

This solution was found due to the growing demand for rehabilitation specialists from medical institutions.

"Many of our graduates are now working in hospitals in Ukraine. We receive many requests from private and public hospitals for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and their assistants.

Rehabilitation departments are actively opening in the country. Therefore, these specialists are in great demand today," the specialist explained.

What is the solution?

At the KARAZIN ReHab rehabilitation center, Ukrainian soldiers will utilize state-of-the-art equipment to regain their health. Expert physical and occupational therapists, kinesiologists, and manual specialists will assist the patients in their recovery.

The center offers rehabilitation classes at two locations, specifically for motor and manual therapy. Additionally, veterans can get professional counseling from a psychotherapist and psychologist if needed.

How does it work?

As of the 2024 academic year, Karazinsky University has implemented a new educational program called "Therapy and Rehabilitation." The program has already enrolled 43 students, and the university is confident that this will help alleviate the shortage of physical rehabilitation specialists in the future. Theory and practical training for interns at the newly established KARAZIN ReHab began in late November 2024.

"I even wrote on my Facebook page: "Dreams come true," because many of our goals appeared during the war. We certainly didn't think about it and even tried to work in this direction. We were engaged in medicine; it was interesting to us. We didn't try to open new specialties and programs.

But the war changed everything, so we spent two years trying to open therapy and rehabilitation as an educational program. We successfully received a license and found qualified scientific and pedagogical staff to provide the academic program," Anatolii Babichev, vice-rector for scientific and pedagogical work of the Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University, said.

What's next?

The university administration is preparing the necessary documents to obtain a license from the Ministry of Health to operate a scientific and practical rehabilitation center.

For now, the rehab is operating in test mode.

The "KARAZIN Rehab" Scientific and Practical Rehabilitation Center project is being carried out through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine, with funding from the European Union and the Government of the Netherlands as part of the "EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine" project. Karazin University alumna and Paralympic Games medalist Maryna Lytovchenko assisted with procuring state-of-the-art equipment for the center.