The third discussion on physical rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders was held as part of the project "Speak up, Veteran" with the support of Metinvest.
The third meeting as part of the "Speak up, Veteran" project was held in Zaporizhzhia. The topic of the event was "Governmental and Private Rehabilitation Opportunities for Veterans" with the involvement of professional experts. The project was launched by non-governmental organizations "Zaporizhzhia. Platform For Joint Action" and "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future" with the financial support of Metinvest Group and Zaporizhstal.
The event was held for veterans who had returned from the frontline after their service. The defenders were told about the possibilities of receiving a wide range of medical services in both public and private hospitals.
At the beginning, the floor was given to Olena Shvets, Director of the Zaporizhzhia Veterans' Policy Department. Work is currently underway to create a comprehensive veterans’ policy programme for 2025-2027. One of the main items of the programme will be the medical sector.
"Before introducing this programme, we conducted a survey among female and male veterans to find out what they were concerned about, what their current needs were, and what we needed to address. And the medical sector was at the top of the list. That is why we want to hear suggestions from our doctors, the city, the region, so that we can include them in our comprehensive programme. So that we can work out the gaps and unfinished issues together with you. And we can create a comprehensive programme of proper quality for veterans," said Olena SHVETS.
Speaker Yuliia Zalevska spoke about the opportunities offered by businesses, including Metinvest, in the area of health insurance for employees of their enterprises. All of them can receive outpatient and inpatient care, as well as preventive and diagnostic services. If necessary, they can visit doctors and receive free medical care. A specialised programme to support veterans is currently being developed.
"About 8,000 Metinvest employees are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Every day more and more of them are returning to civilian life. Therefore, one of the priority areas is the physical health of veterans," said Yuliia ZALEVSKA.
The experts discussed the topic of free medical services guaranteed to defenders in public and private hospitals. This includes dental prosthetics - UAH 14,000 is provided for treatment, and up to UAH 25,000 for the installation of a new prosthesis. This can be done, in particular, at Municipal Dental Hospitals No. 1 and 5.
Veterans can also get an MRT free of charge – there is currently one such machine in Zaporizhzhia. The other is not yet available due to the reconstruction of one of the city's hospitals.
Most of the event was dedicated to prosthetics for the military. Yehor Iordek, a psychologist who helps people with amputated limbs cope with phantom pains using various techniques, spoke to the audience.
It is very important to constantly support and help people with amputations, as they often suffer from depressive disorders, high levels of anxiety, etc.
Speaker Anastasiia Yuzefovych from the "Smilyvyi Krok" limb prosthetics centre spoke about the possibilities of receiving free prostheses. To do this, veterans need only submit a passport, a copy of their TAX ID certificate and a copy of the conclusion of the military medical examination board on the need for prosthetics.
Hanna Serotiukova, deputy head of the Zaporizhzhia regional branch of the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities, said that veterans can receive free rehabilitation aids. These include wheelchairs and crutches, prostheses themselves, orthoses (to support joints and spines), orientation and communication aids (tablets, phones, etc.), home care products and special furniture.
At the meeting, Vladyslav Moroko, founder of the rehabilitation space for Ukrainian army veterans "Blockpost" presented a list of services that veterans and their families can receive free of charge, including a psychological support, a business school, a legal advice, a children's space and a hub for teenagers.
"The most important message of today's meeting is that we are open to help, and we want as many veterans as possible to know about our opportunities. We provide social support, resocialisation, rehabilitation through psychology, work, and art. We return the warrior to society and the family, and we adapt the family to the needs of the warrior," says Vladyslav MOROKO.
Vadym Khaliulin is a veteran who currently works at Zaporizhstal. He has been at the war since 24 February 2022 and has now returned to civilian life. He learned the information presented at the event not only for himself but also for his family members, who are defending Ukraine right now.
"All my medical issues have been resolved. Most of my relatives are at the war. I think when they come back, (this information – ed.) will also be useful. My brother now has an eye injury. When he gets out of the service, he will need it," says the veteran.
