Free Inpatient Rehab: What Patients Should Know
In Ukraine, inpatient rehabilitation is available at no cost through medical facilities that have signed an agreement with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). A standard treatment cycle lasts at least 14 calendar days and offers intensive, multidisciplinary care for a minimum of three hours each day—or 15 hours per week. It is typically recommended after a stroke, trauma, amputation, burns, surgery, or when everyday functioning has been significantly impaired.
This form of rehabilitation is considered necessary when outpatient sessions are not enough and the patient needs ongoing medical supervision as well as coordinated work with several specialists. The main indications include:
- stroke
- traumatic brain or spinal cord injury
- amputation
- severe burns
- multiple injuries
- complex operations
- long-term treatment
- diseases with moderate or significant restrictions on daily functioning
Multidisciplinary Care and a Seamless Path to Recovery
In the inpatient unit, a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team assesses the patient’s overall condition, mobility, ability to care for themselves, communication skills, and other important areas. Together, the patient and the team define recovery goals and draw up an individual rehabilitation plan. The level of care covers at least three hours per day or 15 hours per week; the actual duration of a cycle and the need for further cycles are decided individually, based on the patient’s condition, goals, and outcomes.
Accessibility in inpatient rehabilitation means a continuous route from treatment to recovery—starting with a timely referral, a clearly explained care plan, and the patient’s involvement in setting rehabilitation goals.
“Rehabilitation accessibility is not just about physical access to a building. It is about equal opportunities to receive quality care and rebuild your life.” — Serhii Khuda, physical therapist and deputy medical director for rehabilitation service development at the Okhmatdyt Hospital in Lviv.
These rehabilitation services are free of charge in medical facilities that have a contract with the NHSU. To locate a facility, patients can consult the Electronic Map of Service Delivery Locations under the Medical Guarantees Program or call the NHSU contact center at 16-77. The “Development of the Rehabilitation Care System” project is being implemented under the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine, which runs through 2030 and was launched at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska.
The goal of this system is to improve quality of life for people recovering from serious medical conditions. Because these services are covered for patients at NHSU-contracted facilities, more people can get the rehabilitation support they need—and the approach highlights the importance of individualized, patient-centered care. This initiative reflects Ukraine’s growing focus on rehabilitation as a core part of health care.
In addition to the recent developments in inpatient rehabilitation, it's important to note that as of January 1, 2026, planned coronary artery stenting will also be provided at no charge. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility in Ukraine, ensuring that patients receive necessary treatments without financial burdens.