Ukraine has strengthened its rehabilitation services, with support from WHO/Europe, after the Ministry of Health demonstrated strong commitment to develop the sector. Efforts have culminated in the adoption of the first of 2 new by-laws to enable implementation of the country’s law on “Rehabilitation in health care”, which was approved by parliament in 2020.
The new by-laws describe how rehabilitative care should be organized in health facilities, using a multidisciplinary approach to increase access to quality services. They follow the landmark 2020 law, which set out the legal, organizational and economic standards for rehabilitation provision in the country, including for the provision of assistive technologies.
A recent decree by the President, enacting the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC), highlighted the importance of rolling out eHealth tools to support rehabilitation from the first day of impairment or injury, and enabling wider rehabilitation financing to support people who face limitations in their day-to-day activities due to diseases, injuries, congenital disorders or other health conditions.
Many positive steps
WHO recommendations were embedded in the new law, including in the name, which flags rehabilitation as an essential part of universal health coverage. Terminology from WHO documents provided clear definitions for “rehabilitation” and “occupational therapy”, in line with international norms. Importantly, access to assistive technologies was included as part of rehabilitation services provision.
Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine, stated that the adoption of the law is a notable achievement of the Ukrainian government, adding “WHO supports the aspiration of the Government of Ukraine to further expand the role of rehabilitation in its health system, and its commitment to making rehabilitation accessible for all people in need, to enhance the quality of life of Ukrainians”. WHO experts held discussions with Ukrainian parliamentarians and representatives of the President’s Office and provided extensive technical contributions for the improvement of the law’s content.
The new by-laws are the latest in a series of positive steps taken by Ukraine to improve rehabilitation and assistive technology services. Other initiatives include the Situational Assessment of Rehabilitation Situation, the Assistive Technologies Assessment, and the Rapid Assistive Technology Survey, which were conducted by WHO in close collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Ukraine and WHO/Europe continue to work together to strengthen rehabilitation in the health system to ensure wider access to quality and timely rehabilitation services.