The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Doctors Without Borders have launched a pilot project for the early rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders
The project is implemented within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Department of Health and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the independent international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders, signed on August 9 by the Head of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Anatoly Smyk and the Head of Mission of MSF Christoph Garnier.
Pilot project “Rehabilitation assistance for post-traumatic wounded” will be implemented within the Kiev garrison. Wounded Ukrainian defenders, such as guards, policemen, border guards, rescuers, and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, will undergo rehabilitation.
The project was launched in accordance with the decision of the Minister of Internal Affairs Denis Monastyrsky on the initiative of MSF. According to Anatoly Smyk, Head of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, MSF's experience and their assistance are extremely relevant, since Ukrainian society currently has a somewhat distorted understanding and practice of rehabilitation.
“Now at every step they talk about rehabilitation, but most often it all comes down to a massage or a pool. It should be understood that rehabilitation is a much broader process, including, in particular, special exercises on special equipment. Only a few private centers that have the proper resources carry out such rehabilitation. In the public sector, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the first to implement such an approach to primary rehabilitation. And, thanks to the assistance of our international partners, immediately at a high level,” noted Anatoly Smyk.
According to the Memorandum of Cooperation concluded, Doctors Without Borders will provide special equipment, practical and methodological assistance in its use, involve its specialists in physiotherapy, physical rehabilitation and mental health. The parties will jointly develop a plan for the treatment of the injured: from admission to the institution to discharge. The main burden during the implementation of the project will fall on the medical workers of the Main Medical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, first of all we are talking about the departments of neurology, surgery, traumatology, neurosurgery, where wounded fighters are treated. Further rehabilitation of the defenders will take place in the medical rehabilitation center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs “Pushcha Voditsa”; it is planned to involve the MRI “Pivdenny Bug”.
In turn, MSF Head of Mission Christophe Garnier expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and directly to its head for their willingness to cooperate with Doctors Without Borders and implement such an important project. He also stressed the importance of primary rehabilitation, which should begin immediately after the operation, because it is on this that the effectiveness of treatment and recovery of the warrior depends.
It should be noted that MSF has been specializing in military surgery for more than 50 years, as well as the maintenance of mental health, general rehabilitation. Currently, the organization operates in approximately 60 countries around the world.
“We do not carry out specialized rehabilitation in all these countries, but only where there is military action, in particular, in Yemen, Haiti, Gaza, Jordan. However, the mechanism of the health system in Ukraine is different from other countries, where MSF interacts directly with the ministries of health and social policy. Thus, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has its own extensive health care system, including rehabilitation, where we are experts, where we can and are ready to provide assistance. Therefore, we are glad that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is open to cooperation and that together we will implement this important project,” said the MSF Head of Mission.
Immediately after signing the Memorandum, MSF specialists together with the doctors of the Main Medical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs began to implement the measures prescribed in it: some special equipment has already been imported and installed. A long and important work has begun.
Communications Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Photo by Oleg Suprun
