A teenager in the Kharkov region of Ukraine was seriously injured due to the explosion of ammunition. Ukraine: the rehabilitation system saves life, but needs reforms Healthcare number of Ukrainians who, after injuries, strokes and other serious diseases, requires recovery, but the system of medical rehabilitation in the country does not yet have time for this demand. This is stated in the new report of the World Health Organization (WHO), which calls for updating approaches to financing and organizing this assistance. sharp increase in needs cart is not a luxury, but part of vital medical care. The demand for it among the inhabitants of Ukraine increased due to hostilities back in 2014, and after a full-scale invasion grew an avalanche-like. Complications were added to military injuries after strokes and the wounds of civilians, as well as age -related diseases against the background of aging population. Over the past five years, the state has significantly increased investments in this sector: if in 2020 there were only 1.2 percent of the budget of the program of medical guarantees for rehabilitation, then in 2025, already 4 percent-almost 6.9 billion hryvnias (about 154 million euros). but, as experts are recognized, money is recognized. They always reach those who need help most. For example, in 2024, only 1.5 percent of patients with the serious consequences of a stroke were able to continue outpatient treatment after discharge from the hospital. 60 ~ h2 >~ 60 > gap between the hospital and ambulatory – one of the main ones is one of the main problems. According to WHO, only 6 percent of patients who completed the course of treatment in the hospital then fell on an outpatient restoration. The rest are either completely refused rehabilitation or are forced to go to the hospital again, although they could be treated closer to the house. There is not enough help at the level of local communities – at home, through primary medicine centers or mobile teams. Therapists cannot yet directly direct the patient to the physiotherapist or speech therapist, but are obliged to first make a direction with a specialist, which is not always necessary. 62 ~ ~ ~ 60 > In addition, access to free rehabilitation is still determined only by the formal diagnosis, and not by the real functionality of a person. Because of this, people with serious violations, but who have not received the correct diagnosis, can be left without help, and doctors are sometimes forced to indicate certain diagnostic codes to “get around” the system. 62 ~~ 60 > experience in Europe 62 > 62 ~WHO advises Ukraine to switch to a mixed model – to take into account not only the diagnosis, but also the level of loss of functions with the help of special shirts, for example, the Bartel index. This scale is already used in the Ukrainian palliative assistance system and is planned to be introduced into the electronic healthcare platform until the end of 2025. ~ 60 > 62 ~ WHO report gives examples from the practice of others countries: ~ 60 > Croatia use index indicators to send to the hospital. Lithuania determines the duration of the course – from 24 to 40 days in adults – based on the degree Violations. ~ 60 > Estonia divides assistance into intensive, restoring and supportive and prescribes 21-day cycles for patients with severe speech, cognitive and motor Disorders. ~ 60 > according to experts, such models help to spend more efficiently and quickly return people to active life. 62 ~ that Ukraine ~ 60 > organization advises: To establish a system of directions of patients-so that everyone who leaves the hospital has a plan for further recovery; ~ 60 > develop mono-professional services-when the entire course can conduct one specialist, for example, physiotherapy, which is especially useful for mild cases and an outpatient basis Help; 60 > expand rehabilitation at the local level and at home so that people do not lose time to travel to large hospitals; revise tariffs: instead of fixed 14-day cycles, pay for the real duration of treatment from the treatment from the treatment. Correct for the complexity of the incident. personnel 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 ~ 62 thingThe number of clinics that concluded contracts with the National Health Service of Ukraine grew from 321 in 2021 to 555 in 2025, but only half of them are provided by both the hospital and the outpatient clinic. At the same time, the situation differs in the regions: in the Chernihiv region, both types of services provide 92 percent of medical institutions, and in Kharkov-only 27 percent. ~ 60 >~ 60 > most of the budget is still spent in hospitals-about 60 percent. The outpatient clinics account for 36–38 percent, and the rest of the funds for services for infants. At the same time, in 2025, outpatient costs were increased by 41 percent compared to 2024. ~ 60 > number of patients growing: from 116 thousand in 2023 to 138 thousand in 2024, and the number of treatment courses from 134 thousand to 171 thousand. Most of the recipients of the services are men (71 percent in 2024), which is associated with military injuries: military personnel are required to take restoration in hospitals. ~ 60 > ~ 60 > system still experiences prepared specialists-physiotherapists, ergothelists, speech therapists, and also suffers due to the intersection of powers Health and Social Protection institutions. investment in the future ~ 60 > authors emphasize: rehabilitation is an investment in human capital. It allows people after injuries and strokes to return to work, study and familiar life, reduces the costs of long -term care and improves the quality of life of the families. ~ 60 > WHO calls for the Ukrainian government and international partners to synchronize financial and systemic reforms so that rehabilitation becomes affordable even in the conditions of war and limited budget.