Strengthening the Rehabilitation System in Ukraine

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health Policy
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has significantly increased the demand for rehabilitation services.
• Preexisting deficiencies in Ukraine's rehabilitation system have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
• Limited inclusion of persons with disabilities in education, employment, and public life persists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine Ukrainian legislation, literature, and stakeholder consultations regarding the rehabilitation system.
• To identify challenges in the rehabilitation system, including fragmentation, institutionalization, and resource constraints.
• To propose policy options for modernizing and improving rehabilitation services in Ukraine.

Main Methods:

• Policy brief analysis of Ukrainian legislation.
• Review of scientific and grey literature.
• Findings from stakeholder consultations.

Main Results:

• The rehabilitation system is fragmented, overly institutionalized, and suffers from poor continuity of care.
• Limited community integration and weak interdisciplinary collaboration are prevalent.
• Resource provision for assistive devices is strained due to war and increased demand.

Conclusions:

• Rebuilding Ukraine's rehabilitation ecosystem offers an opportunity to modernize systems and promote a rights-based disability framework.
• Improving rehabilitation services can advance destigmatization and social reintegration for persons with disabilities.
• Lessons learned from Ukraine's context can inform other conflict-affected regions.