Viktor Liashko at Veterans Forum: Ministry of Health builds a medical assistance system accessible to all Ukrainians and tailored to veterans’ needs

Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko participated in the VIII International Veterans Forum “Ukraine. Veterans. Security”.

“The Ministry of Health’s task is to ensure universal access to high-quality, free medical care for all Ukrainians, taking into account the needs of our veterans. Universal is the key word here. This means services must be accessible across the country. We see this in action with the development of the rehabilitation system. We began building a new model in 2021, when the relevant law was passed. The full-scale war accelerated the process, as the need for quality physical and psychological recovery surged dramatically. That’s why our goal is to ensure people are not left alone with their challenges but can conveniently access all necessary medical services,” Viktor Liashko said.

The Ministry of Health is steadily developing the rehabilitation system within healthcare. Currently, 367 medical facilities provide free inpatient care, and 512 offer outpatient care. In just the first eight months of 2025, over 286,000 people used these services, with the state covering costs exceeding UAH 3 billion.

A key priority for 2025 is expanding outpatient rehabilitation. It should be available in every community with a medical facility, allowing patients to recover close to home. The Ministry has also introduced a new format – rehabilitation “mono-service” – enabling specialists like physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists to provide care independently or in collaboration with family doctors. This makes the process more convenient for patients while reducing the burden on inpatient facilities.

For individuals with multiple amputations, inpatient rehabilitation has been extended to up to 26 courses per year (compared to 2–8 in other cases).

A separate focus is psychological recovery. As part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska, an ecosystem for mental health care is being created. Since 2025, basic services have been available at all primary care facilities. Currently, 104 mental health centres operate within cluster and super-cluster hospitals. These are specialised support spaces where anyone needing psychosocial or psychiatric care can receive it without stigma in a safe environment. They complement basic care and provide professional psychiatric, psychotherapeutic, and psychological support for more complex cases. By the end of the year, at least 200 such centres are planned to open.

Additionally, the state is introducing specialised services for military personnel and veterans.

In early 2025, the Government adopted a resolution allowing defenders to access free services for the collection, cryopreservation, and storage of reproductive cells. This service, available at 20 medical facilities (listed on the website of the National Health Service of Ukraine), supports those at risk of losing reproductive function due to their duties in defending the state.

Last year, the Ministry of Health, together with the Ministry for Veterans Affairs and the National Health Service of Ukraine, launched a programme for free dental prosthetics and care for defenders. In 2025, this programme was not only continued but significantly expanded. Since the start of this year, approximately 48,000 military personnel and veterans have received assistance, compared to just over 21,000 for the whole of 2024. Today, 497 facilities across Ukraine provide this care – 1.5 times more than last year.

Additionally, a list of 28 priority medical facilities has been approved to provide ophthalmological care for individuals with eye injuries resulting from combat, firearms, or other wounds.

The Ministry of Health is working to ensure everyone has equal access to high-quality, free medical care.