Ministry of Health: Chernihiv region to upgrade outpatient rehabilitation units in six hospitals with support from international partners

Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko visited Chernihiv region on a working trip and participated in a meeting of the region’s Community Council. A key focus was the development of rehabilitation within the healthcare system.

“President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a clear goal – to create Europe’s most robust rehabilitation system in Ukraine. We are actively working to ensure that everyone needing recovery after injuries, surgeries, or illnesses has access to free, high-quality, evidence-based care. Over 286,000 Ukrainians have already received such support in 2025. Every day, 12,000 rehabilitation sessions are conducted across the country – four times more than three years ago. Our specialists are training in leading global clinics and becoming mentors for their colleagues in Ukraine. The next step is to establish accessible outpatient rehabilitation units in every community with a healthcare facility. Today, we are launching a significant project to modernise such units in six hospitals in Chernihiv region,” said Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health of Ukraine.

Currently, 367 medical facilities provide free inpatient rehabilitation care, while outpatient services are available free of charge at 512 facilities. In the first eight months of 2025, over 286,000 people received such care, with the state paying medical facilities more than UAH 3 billion for these services.

During the visit, Viktor Liashko, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, together with representatives of Momentum Wheels for Humanity and the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, signed a Memorandum on the implementation of the Development of Outpatient Rehabilitation Care in Ukraine Project, supported by the international humanitarian organisation Direct Relief.

The project includes renovating premises of outpatient rehabilitation units, procuring and installing equipment in line with National Health Service of Ukraine requirements, training multidisciplinary teams, and providing managerial, communication, and organisational support to medical facilities. Additionally, service delivery standards and a reporting system will be introduced.

The first phase will be implemented in Chernihiv region, where outpatient rehabilitation units in six hospitals will be modernised: Horodnia City Hospital, Kozelets Intensive Care Hospital, Bobrovytsia Base Hospital, Kulykivka Planned Treatment Hospital, and enhanced capacities at Bakhmach City Hospital and Mena City Hospital. From November 2025, the project is planned to expand to 20 medical facilities nationwide.

“Chernihiv region will be the first region in this project where we will begin systematic work to develop a network of outpatient rehabilitation units within the healthcare system. The creation or modernisation of six units will improve patients’ access to quality rehabilitation services. Amid the daily challenges faced by the healthcare system, timely and effective rehabilitation is crucial for both civilians and veterans. We welcome state initiatives aimed at addressing these critical needs,” said Nataliia Melnychenko, Director of Momentum Wheels for Humanity in Ukraine.

“Services will be provided on an outpatient basis at hospitals or in patients’ homes within their communities. Funding will be provided under the Medical Guarantees Programme within the ‘Rehabilitation Care for Adults and Children in Outpatient Settings’ package, avoiding additional costs to community budgets. Such accessible care will enable patients to continue recovery while pursuing education or work,” said Viacheslav Chaus, Head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration.

The development of the rehabilitation care system is of strategic importance for Ukrainian healthcare. Widespread access to quality outpatient rehabilitation is critical for restoring functionality, reducing disability rates, improving quality of life, and promoting social integration for people with injuries or chronic conditions.