Poltava, Ukraine – October 2024. From July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, the Altmühlseeklinik Hensoltshöhe (Germany) and the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital named after M. V. Sklifosovskyi successfully implemented the international cooperation project “Hospital Partnerships – Partners Strengthen Health.”
This German-Ukrainian initiative significantly improved rehabilitation care and patient comfort in Poltava’s leading regional hospital. During the project year, the partners delivered modern hospital beds, bedside cabinets, wardrobes, and specialized rehabilitation equipment. The total value of support exceeded €210,000.
Building Capacity for Rehabilitation Medicine
Following the project’s completion, the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital continues to thrive. Today, the Center operates three modern physical therapy halls equipped with advanced rehabilitation systems, as well as a fully functional occupational therapy room compliant with National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) standards. Massage therapy, speech therapy, and psychological counseling services are also provided on an ongoing basis.
The Center’s multidisciplinary team has grown into a dedicated staff of 52 professionals, including physicians, physical and occupational therapists, assistants, and rehabilitation nurses — all with high professional qualifications.
Impact and Results
The 30-bed rehabilitation unit has been operating at full capacity. Against a target of 636 patients, the Center treated 816 individuals (128%) over the past year. Rehabilitation services are provided both to inpatients from other hospital departments and to outpatients — the majority of whom (412 cases) are defenders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The majority of patients (82%) recover from trauma, blast injuries, or amputations; 10% undergo post-stroke rehabilitation, and 8% receive treatment for spinal root syndromes.
Continuous training keeps the Center’s specialists at the forefront of modern rehabilitation medicine, ensuring patients achieve the best possible recovery and reintegration into social life.
Looking Ahead
Due to its high patient load, the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine urgently needs additional space and bed capacity. Expansion is a pressing issue that will require the combined efforts of the state and international donors.
“I wish all our patients a speedy and complete recovery,” said Vitaliy Shevchenko, Executive Director of the Hospital Fund of Poltava Region and Project Coordinator (2023–2024). “My heartfelt thanks go to the Center’s team for their professionalism and dedication in safeguarding the health of Ukrainians. On behalf of all patients, we wish the staff strength, good health, resilience, and — above all — a swift Victory and peace for Ukraine.”
About the Project
The project “Hospital Partnerships – Partners Strengthen Health” was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) under the Hospital Partnerships – Strengthening Health grant program, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). For more information: BMZ – Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Hospital Partnerships Program GIZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Center for Rehabilitation Medicine – Poltava
