The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Defenders — both men and women — who fought for the freedom and independence of Ukraine within the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine are entitled to a range of benefits and opportunities in the field of healthcare.
Which specific benefits are available to combat veterans under current legislation is outlined and reiterated by ArmyInform.
Medicines and dental prosthetics — free of charge
Under Ukrainian law, combat veterans are guaranteed:
- free provision of medicines, pharmaceuticals, immunobiological products, and medical devices based on doctors’ prescriptions;
- priority free dental prosthetics (excluding prosthetics made of precious metals);
- free sanatorium and resort treatment or compensation for the cost of independently obtained sanatorium treatment.
It should be added that Ukraine has expanded the list of free primary healthcare services for veterans — the full list is available here.
The list of free medicines and medical devices for veterans can be found via this link.
Medical examinations and treatment
Combat veterans are entitled to:
- continued use of outpatient clinics and hospitals to which they were attached at their previous place of employment upon retirement (regardless of the time of retirement) or upon changing jobs;
- annual medical examinations and dispensary check-ups with the involvement of required specialists;
- priority service at healthcare and preventive medical facilities, pharmacies, and priority hospitalization.
Rehabilitation and prosthetics
Ukraine has a network of war veterans’ hospitals where veterans can undergo free medical, physical, and psychological rehabilitation.
In addition, veterans can receive rehabilitation at regional war veterans’ hospitals at their place of residence, as well as at the following institutions:
- Ukrainian State Medical and Social Center for War Veterans;
- “Lisova Polyana” War Veterans’ Hospital (Kyiv Region);
- Republican Center for Neurotrauma Treatment (Rivne Region), which specializes in traumatic brain and spinal injuries.
Furthermore, the state guarantees free modern prostheses and rehabilitation aids that help veterans restore functions, adapt, and return to active life.
Under the program, veterans can receive not only a prosthesis, but also services for its repair, replacement, and maintenance. Assistance is provided at all stages — from submitting an application to receiving the device.
To obtain a prosthesis at state expense, one must submit an online application through the Electronic Cabinet of the Centralized Database on Disability Issues. After that, the required documents must be collected — details are available on the Ministry of Social Policy’s portal.
In addition to the state program, there are other prosthetics initiatives:
- Superhumans Center — a modern center for prosthetics, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation;
- Protez Hub — engaged in the development of prosthetics in Ukraine since 2014.
Free psychological assistance
Veterans, female veterans, and their families in Ukraine have access to free psychological assistance.
The system includes three levels of support:
- social and psychological support and social services;
- psychological assistance;
- comprehensive medical and psychological assistance provided by multidisciplinary teams of specialists.
Services can be provided on an inpatient, outpatient, or remote basis.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs reimburses the cost of services provided at the second and third levels — according to the qualifications and experience of specialists.
