From now on, the design and construction of healthcare buildings and facilities will be carried out in accordance with the new state construction standards (SBSs). The SBSs are designed to be barrier-free and inclusive, as well as in line with the standards of civil protection and energy efficiency. 

The norms will apply to new construction, reconstruction, overhaul and, in some parts, restoration, in particular, to space-planning solutions, engineering support, comfort of medical services for both patients and medical staff, ensuring full inclusiveness of such facilities, including for people with disabilities, etc. 

"Since the full-scale military invasion, the russians have damaged more than 1,500 hospitals. There is a lot of reconstruction work ahead. In our approach to reconstruction, we adhere to the key principle - build back better - to rebuild better than before. With the entry into force of the new state construction standards, we can build modern inclusive clinics based on the best European practices," commented Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine, Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development. 

The standards stipulate that the main entrance of a medical facility must have parking spaces for cars with disabilities, bicycle and motorcycle parking, electric chargers for electric vehicles, and a helicopter can be placed on the territory of inpatient facilities. Patients will be accommodated in single or double rooms with showers. 

The standards are as close as possible to European standards in terms of space planning solutions, ventilation requirements, and the possibility of autonomous and uninterrupted operation of individual rooms in the absence of electricity. In addition, the peculiarities of major repairs and reconstruction of existing buildings, including architectural monuments, have been taken into account. 

The new version of the SBS B.2.2-10:2022 "Healthcare Facilities. Main Provisions" was developed by the Working Group under the martial law under a simplified procedure. It included representatives of the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization Office in Ukraine, the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Marzeyev Institute for Public Health SI, the National Aviation University, scientific institutes, technical committees and public organizations of people with disabilities, including the Bezbariernist NGO, the NAIU NGO (National Assembly of People with Disabilities), All-Ukrainian Center for Tourism of Persons with Disabilities NGO.