Wear your prosthesis with pride: How two years of war transformed Ukraine’s health system

Russia’s 2022 invasion significantly impacted Ukraine’s healthcare system, especially for those suffering life-altering injuries and trauma, Euronews was told by Ukraine’s Health Minister Viktor Liashko.

In an exclusive interview, Liashko highlighted how the war has forced improvements in areas from blood transfusions to reconstructive surgery. The country’s capacity for rehabilitation has surged from 2,500 to 12,000 sessions per day over the two years of full-scale war.

There are new orthopaedic specialist clinics like Superhumans in the Lviv region, which serves over 3,000 patients annually with more than 100 specialists, and plans to operate in six regions by 2025.

A key focus of the rehabilitation effort has been to shift public perceptions about war-related disabilities, the minister explained.

“We are raising awareness that life does not end after losing an arm or leg,” Liashko said — and an artificial limb could even prove a badge of honour and sacrifice.

“A prosthesis could symbolise that they protected their country, so they can wear them proudly,” he said.

Immense psychological pressure

There’s also been a shift in perceptions of mental health, whose importance was  underscored for frontline soldiers and civilians alike.

“We changed the wording in our communications and started talking about mental health [instead of psychiatric health] to overcome the stigma and encourage people to contact specialists,” said Liashko.

Ukrainians have been under immense psychological pressure, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing with the daily stresses of war—constant air raids, children born and educated in shelters, and families separated by conflict.

“There are children in the fifth grade [aged 9-10] who have never seen a teacher in person,” Liashko said.

The government has begun pilot projects for mental health, targeting primary care doctors, teachers, and other professionals to support those struggling emotionally.

“Our key task is to prevent emotional disturbances from escalating into psychiatric disorders, which our health system is not equipped to handle on a large scale,” Liashko said.

Digital transformation amid conflict

As Ukraine braces for its third winter under Russian attack, the healthcare system is still under stress.

“There are numerous challenges that we are sure we will be able to overcome. But the main thing today is to stop Putin,” he said.

One issue is the constant need for blood transfusions. Ukraine recently launched a real-time online platform for blood donors, providing live updates on reserves in different regions, and allowing authorities to address shortfalls of specific blood types.

“We can monitor, observe, and track where the blood came from and who got it. It is possible to send targeted inquiries to donor groups if you see a lack of a specific component,” added Liashko.

Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine’s healthcare system continues to advance on digitalisation.

Liashko highlighted advances in electronic medical records, including digital prescriptions and reminders for screenings and appointments — though, with over 35 million users and nearly 100 digital projects implemented each year, delivery remains a challenge.

“Although the war has critically impacted the system, we have not stopped any digital solutions and are continuing to move forward as we did before,” the minister said.