Financing rehabilitation services in Ukraine: a situation assessment and policy options

Overview

Ukraine is continuing to reform its health-care sector in the context of the extreme pressure caused by the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. The Government prioritizes the development of rehabilitation services because the demand is constantly growing, but challenges persist, including a shortage of health-care workers, absence of national protocols, and the underutilized potential of health-purchasing tools. This report reviews the health financing and service delivery reforms in Ukrainian rehabilitation care in order to understand the impact of 2023–2024 financing changes, and provides policy considerations. The methodology is based on an analysis of current regulations, reports, and eHealth data from 2023–2024. The analysis focuses on physical rehabilitation within the publicly financed Programme of Medical Guarantees, specifically subacute and long-term care. The findings highlight a critical need for synchronized service delivery and for financing reforms to enhance the accessibility, affordability and quality of rehabilitation care across Ukraine.