Nova Ukraine has helped the Ministry of Health in Ukraine launch seven clinical multidisciplinary rehabilitation Centers of Excellence to date. These hubs of modern rehabilitation provide intensive training for healthcare teams. They also serve to introduce evidence-based rehabilitation methods and foster a professional network of practitioners.
Since October 2023, over 50 training events have been held for teams from 42 rehabilitation departments. These sessions were supported by WHO Ukraine and the War Trauma Rehabilitation project implemented by the Patients of Ukraine charitable foundation, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, the EU Delegation to Ukraine, and Nova Ukraine.
In May 2025, a new three-month training cycle was launched at the same three centers, marking the first of three cycles planned for the year. Each center will train four teams of five specialists, meaning 180 professionals across 36 teams will complete hands-on, evidence-based training by year-end.
Training focuses on team-based rehabilitation work with patients across various diagnoses during acute and post-acute phases. The program includes introductory meetings with team members and facility administrators, in-person sessions, weekly online case presentations, and pre- and post-training tests to assess learning. Three months after completing the cycle, teams will rejoin virtually to report on progress and share their action plans for improving rehabilitation services based on short-term goals set during training.
The Ministry of Health is also deepening cooperation with European rehabilitation centers. Since November 2023, specialists from Ukraine’s Centers of Excellence have participated in international fellowships and trainings in leading clinics in Norway, Latvia, Germany, the United States, Denmark, Japan, Slovenia, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Estonia. These experiences have supported knowledge exchange and strengthened global partnerships.
This work is part of the broader national strategy for creating a barrier-free environment through 2030. Initiated by Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, the strategy promotes respect, choice, and dignity for everyone. Barrier-free means being able. For the Ministry of Health, one way this strategy comes to life is through building an accessible, evidence-based, people-centered rehabilitation system.
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