Comprehensive Medical and Social Support for Liberated Service Members
Ukraine is continuing to provide medical, psychological, and social assistance to service members freed from captivity through a network of specialized facilities. According to the Ministry of Defense, this support is available at 80 institutions located across 22 regions of the country. However, such facilities are currently absent in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions, which remain heavily impacted by the ongoing conflict.
Freed personnel are entitled to 90 days of paid leave and a one-time payment of 100,000 hryvnias. They also receive annual compensation for each year spent in captivity. Sanatorium treatment lasts for 18 calendar days, and independent health recovery is only permitted no earlier than 12 months after release from captivity. Importantly, conscription deferrals for former prisoners of war are extended automatically.
The Story of Vladyslav Zhurzha
Vladyslav Zhurzha, known by the call sign 'Malysh' (Kid), spent over three and a half years in Russian captivity. A marine from the Vinnytsia region, he was captured during the defense of Mariupol in 2022 and is now 24 years old.
Upon return, freed service members undergo an initial medical examination at a designated healthcare facility. 'Immediately after release from captivity, a person is admitted to a designated healthcare facility for a primary medical examination. For service members, the following algorithm applies. If there is no threat to life, they are referred further to one of the designated health institutions - reintegration centers of the Ministry of Defense,' the statement notes.
Two-Tier Support System
Assistance is provided on two levels:
- The first level involves reintegration measures with medical and psychological aid. This level includes 25 healthcare institutions nationwide.
- The second level comprises 41 facilities providing rehabilitative care, plus 25 institutions specializing in psychosocial and psychiatric assistance.
Doctors provide written recommendations concerning rehabilitation aid, psychological support, outpatient treatment, and social services. Types of psychological help include first and emergency psychological aid, low-intensity psychological interventions, psychotherapy for depressive and anxiety disorders, as well as assistance in defining life goals and counseling aimed at overcoming harmful habits and interacting with social services.
Providing this medical and social aid is a crucial step in the process of reintegrating freed soldiers back into society, helping to restore both their physical condition and psychological well-being. Given that the number of released prisoners may increase, this support system requires further development, especially in regions where such facilities are currently lacking. This underscores the importance of ensuring accessible medical and social services for all who need them, a significant challenge for a nation at war.
In addition to the comprehensive support outlined by the Defense Ministry, understanding the intricacies of the assistance system for former soldiers is crucial. This includes details about payments, rehabilitation options, and benefits that are available to those who have endured captivity. Such knowledge can help ensure that liberated service members receive the full spectrum of care and support they deserve during their reintegration process.