Kyiv's ReabiCenter: Pioneering a new era in rehabilitation

In the first half of 2024, the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) of Ukraine in Kyiv will unveil a revamped space for the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. The facility will provide professional rehabilitation for nearly 1,000 severely injured people per year, including outpatient treatment. This is the first project of the ReabiCenter initiative, which aims to significantly increase the capacity of facilities dedicated to the recovery of severely injured soldiers.

Before the full-scale invasion, the rehabilitation of wounded military personnel in Ukraine was carried out within the Unified medical space, based on the medical facilities of the Ministry of Defense and the NAMS of Ukraine. In July 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine approved the Concept for the Development of Rehabilitation of Injured Soldiers, which provides for the creation of a network of modern rehabilitation centers specializing in providing multidisciplinary assistance. Here the state needs the support of companies and volunteers.

ReabiCenter initiative: comprehensive transformations in the field of serious injury rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of wounded soldiers in Ukraine is a critical issue that requires additional funding and qualified professionals. The Armed Forces of Ukraine cannot do without the help of philanthropists.

ReabiCenter is an initiative of Oles Dovgiy. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Dovgiy family has consistently supported military medicine. The Mozhemo Razom charitable foundation, of which Oles Dovgiy is a member of the board of directors, provided mobile surgical units at the front, supported the Hospitallers medical battalion, and supplied medicines to frontline hospitals.

The project to create a modern rehabilitation center at the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of NAMS of Ukraine is the first within the ReabiCenter initiative. It was officially launched on August 4, 2023, with the signing of a trilateral memorandum between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of NAMS of Ukraine, and the Mozhemo Razom charitable foundation of the Dovgiy family.

The center will occupy an area of 500 square meters on the ground floor. The project team has developed and approved the design, and the rehabilitation space will include a mechanotherapy hall, therapy and massage rooms, a physiotherapy room, a physiatrist's office, and two psychologist's offices. The premises will be equipped with inclusive bathrooms.

Repairs are currently underway, and the center is expected to open its doors to patients in the first half of 2024, following the completion of renovations and installation of modern equipment. The rehabilitation center will operate as a branch of the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics.

"It's crucial for our warriors to feel that they are awaited at home, and every effort is being made to create conditions for them to resume normal life upon their return, even if they've sustained severe injuries while defending the country," says Oles Dovgiy. "After World War II, American society completely revamped its approach to organizing public spaces, making inclusivity a mandatory condition for virtually everything. This was a gesture of gratitude to the soldiers who risked their lives and sacrificed their health for the safety of others. At ReabiCenter, we are guided by an understanding of the importance of reintegrating injured people into society and their desire to live fully despite their trauma. Currently, we are actively working on engaging partners to assist various medical institutions in upgrading their rehabilitation spaces.

The Dovgiy family's Mozhemo Razom charitable foundation will serve as the administrative and technical platform for the ReabiCenter initiative, allowing like-minded individuals to come together. In addition to the Dovgiy family's own financial resources, the foundation will attract corporate support. CBM FORUM, a Ukrainian engineering company with a portfolio of over 10 unique projects for the reconstruction of private and state medical institutions in Ukraine, has become a partner in the initiative.

In the future, the center will be staffed by leading rehabilitation experts

The Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of NAMS is the main state scientific institution dealing with trauma treatment. In 2010, Professor Iryna Roy initiated the opening of an inpatient rehabilitation department for orthopedic-traumatological patients – the first in the structure of NAMS of Ukraine.

"The creation of such a clinic was a significant achievement because until then the development of rehabilitation had not been given proper attention. Now we have an experienced multidisciplinary team consisting of physiatrists, orthopedic traumatologists, neurologists, cardiologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and their assistants, as well as nurses and junior nurses – a total of 47 people. In addition, the institute serves as a practice base for several educational institutions, which ensures that the doctors always have motivated helpers," says Natalia Borzykh, head of the rehabilitation department at the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics.

The need for the development of rehabilitation in Ukraine became obvious only with the beginning of military actions in the east of Ukraine in 2014 when the number of wounded and injured people increased daily. Since then, the specialists of the department where Natalia works have been providing specialized assistance to patients with severe gunshot wounds to the limbs and have gained considerable experience.

After the massive Russian invasion in February 2022, the hospital team felt a great need for expansion and more powerful equipment. Doctors have often discussed this issue with the hospital management, developing strategies for development and potential prospects.

"Improving the material base always requires funds and resources, which are scarce during a war. As a doctor, I don't have much opportunity to deal with the financial aspects – looking for investments for repairs and necessary equipment. The ReabiCenter initiative, which takes care of all this, is a great help for us," says Natalia Borzykh. She adds that the institute has no expenses or obligations under the project and does not rent or lease space to third parties.

The rehabilitation equipment that will be installed in the center

A dedicated team of doctors at the clinic works with the ReabiCenter team, providing essential medical expertise. The doctors make recommendations regarding the layout of the premises and equipment. The location of the new center, chosen by partners and physicians, is on the ground floor to ensure the most convenient access for patients with limited mobility.

According to Natalia Borzykh, the project includes modern robotic complexes, intelligent feedback systems, treadmills, suspension systems, mechanotherapy equipment, gait analysis systems, isometric muscle strength measurement, stabiliometric platform, and other comprehensive equipment necessary for effective rehabilitation. The Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, has personally promised to support the procurement of the necessary equipment.

The center is expected to serve approximately 1,000 veterans annually. Qualified care will be available for orthopedic trauma patients in all three phases of rehabilitation: acute, post-acute, and long-term. The facility will also provide reconstructive care for patients with gunshot wounds and severe poly-structural limb injuries. This service is not limited to veterans but extends to military personnel seeking to return to duty.

The importance of integrating treatment and rehabilitation

The strength of the future center lies in combining treatment and rehabilitation in one location. This approach is considered the best for patients with severe injuries and limb loss, allowing them to receive consultation and treatment from various specialists (surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, etc.) with maximum collaboration among the medical team. But this is not the only advantage.

To receive rehabilitation at the state-of-the-art medical facility, military personnel and veterans in need of such assistance must have the appropriate referral for treatment.

In case of need for rehabilitation treatment, patients can be transferred from any of the Institute's clinics after surgery or from hospitals. In addition, treatment can be initiated with a referral from the unit commander after prior consultation. "In the military, these steps are well established and regulated," says Natalia.

For veterans who are unable to continue their military service due to injuries, a referral from the family doctor after consultation with the Institute's specialists is sufficient for treatment.

Partners of the ReabiCenter project: