Free Rehabilitation Support for Veterans: New Opportunities for Prosthetics and Assistive Devices after Injuries
Since the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, many brave men and women voluntarily took up arms to defend their country, demonstrating resilience and patriotism.
However, these heroes were not spared from injuries: during combat, numerous veterans sustained serious wounds that required urgent prosthetics and comprehensive rehabilitation.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced that all injuries and traumas sustained during the war are now eligible for state-funded free access to modern prosthetics and other rehabilitation aids.
This program is accessible to all combatants with a medical conclusion confirming the need for such devices, and the process involves several straightforward steps.
Veterans need to contact a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team (MDRK), an expert evaluation group, or military and medical commissions.
They can obtain a medical opinion during hospital treatment, which will be automatically linked to their profile on the Social Portal of the Ministry of Social Policy if issued by the appropriate evaluation team.
If veterans have other documents confirming the need for prosthetics, additional conclusions are not required.
The application process can be completed online via the Ministry’s portals or personally at designated government offices.
Veterans are also invited to select a manufacturing enterprise from the provided lists to produce their prosthetic, where specialists will take measurements and prepare the device.
To receive a prosthesis, applicants must submit copies of several key documents: the medical conclusion confirming the need for prosthetic support, Ukrainian passport, identification code, and a certificate of injury circumstances.
After receiving the prosthetic, it is essential to undergo fitting, receive usage instructions, and sign the acceptance act.
Regarding sports prostheses, the previous bureaucratic hurdles requiring proof of participation in competitions have been removed.
Now, such prostheses can be obtained under the same procedure as other rehabilitation tools offered by the state, making it easier for veterans to engage in sports activities and restore their physical and mental well-being.
The Ministry emphasizes that free access to prosthetics and rehabilitation aids forms part of the government’s comprehensive support for heroes working tirelessly to rebuild their lives and the country amid ongoing challenges.