The state-of-the-art RECOVERY rehabilitation centre was launched in Cherkasy. Every year, the centre will provide high-quality and free assistance to more than 1,000 defenders of Ukraine. This is the 9th centre of the national network established by Victor and Olena Pinchuk to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The RECOVERY project is an example of a successful partnership between the private sector and the state, when philanthropists create innovative rehabilitation centres on the basis of state medical institutions. For example, the project funded a major overhaul of the ninth floor of the region’s key hospital, expanding the capacity of the rehabilitation department by 30 beds. The entire space of the rehabilitation centre is equipped according to international standards of technology and inclusiveness.
The treatment and rehabilitation area features two physical therapy rooms and two physical rehabilitation halls equipped with VR equipment that provides patient feedback. There are also rooms for massage, ergotherapy, speech therapy, psychological support, a resident’s room, offices for medical staff and other service areas.
The centre’s innovative devices cover the full range of functional impairments, including those sustained as a result of mine-blast injuries. This equipment will help patients to restore their gait and the lost functions of their upper and lower limbs at a high technological level.
“We understand that rehabilitation centres ideally need to be built as close as possible to the families of our heroes. This would make it more convenient for them and their families both morally and psychologically, and in a domestic sense. That is why we are building our network across the country. There are many soldiers in need of help in all regions. Gradually, the RECOVERY network will be expanded, and the soldiers will recover closer to their homes,” shared Victor Pinchuk, founder of the RECOVERY project.
In the Cherkasy centre, patients will be treated by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Depending on the needs of each wounded person, they will be treated according to an individual programme by physical rehabilitation doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech and language therapists and other specialists.
“Rehabilitation is hard work for an injured patient. However, modern and expensive simulators, as well as the inclusive space of the Cherkasy RECOVERY centre, help make the recovery process more comfortable and effective for the military. For my rehabilitation team, this is an opportunity to provide assistance to our defenders in a world-class environment,” said Lyudmila Fomicheva, head of the RECOVERY rehabilitation centre in Cherkasy.
Like the other centres in the network, the Cherkasy RECOVERY is equipped to meet the requirements of inclusive premises: wide doorways, no thresholds, medical anti-slip flooring, handrails in the corridors, sanitary rooms for wheelchair users and showers with seats and handrails.
The development of innovative rehabilitation for the military is the contribution of Victor and Olena Pinchuk to help the military fight the war of aggression unleashed by Russia. In total, more than 7,000 patients have already received rehabilitation care in the centres of the national network, many of whom have returned to the frontline.
In addition to Cherkasy, the network’s rehabilitation centres provide free services to the military in Kyiv, Lviv, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Odesa (two facilities) and Dnipro region (two facilities). The network is expected to expand to at least 16 centres by the end of 2024. This will enable us to help more than 20,000 patients a year.