A Prosthetics and Orthopaedics Centre to be established in Ternopil
The development of a modern prosthetics and rehabilitation system, the training of young healthcare professionals, the identification of future priorities in medical education, and the coordination of key government initiatives at the regional level were the central themes of the working visit of the Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, to the Ternopil oblast (region).
“The development of a modern rehabilitation system in Ukraine is currently one of the Government’s key priorities. Since the onset of the full-scale war, the demand for these services has increased significantly, covering all stages of a person’s recovery following severe injuries from early rehabilitation to reintegration into daily life. Prosthetics play a critical role within this system, as its quality and timeliness often determine how quickly an individual can regain functionality and return to an active life. In this context, the entire Government team is engaged in reforming the prosthetics system. An interagency working group has been established and has developed a roadmap for reforming the prosthetics system in Ukraine. This document has recently been formally approved. Today, a further important practical step has been taken with the signing of a memorandum aimed at establishing a Prosthetics and Orthopaedics Centre based at the Ternopil Regional Clinical Psychoneurological Hospital,”
As part of the working visit, and with the participation of the Minister, representatives of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, the Ternopil Regional Council, the Ternopil Regional Clinical Psychoneurological Hospital, I. Horbachevskyi Ternopil National Medical University, and Ivan Puliuia Ternopil National Technical University, together with German strategic partners Life Bridge Ukraine gGmbH and Human Study e.V., signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to establish a Prosthetics and Orthopaedics Centre in Ternopil.
This initiative builds on earlier cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Life Bridge Ukraine, aimed at developing a modern prosthetics and orthopaedics system in Ukraine. The key objective is to establish an integrated facility in Ternopil that will combine clinical prosthetics, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and the training of specialists in line with international standards and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
The project aims to provide modern prosthetic and orthopedic care while developing a vocational education system for Ukrainian prosthetists and orthotists. It involves a two-tier training model, ranging from practice-oriented technical training to clinical education integrated with university programs. This approach will facilitate the training of specialists directly in Ukraine and simultaneously enhance the practical aspects of care for individuals following amputations.
Life Bridge Ukraine gGmbH will be responsible for the organizational coordination of the project, while Human Study e.V. will lead the development of modern education in prosthetics and orthopaedics in accordance with WHO standards and international best practices.
Particular attention during the visit was given to the development of the second (Master’s) level of higher education program “Prosthetics and Orthotics” at I. Horbachevskyi Ternopil National Medical University. At present, the training of these specialists is currently underway at four higher education institutions. In total, 84 students enrolled in 2024 and 2025 are studying in the Master’s program “Prosthetics and Orthotics,” including 14 in Ternopil. The first cohort of Master’s-level prosthetist-orthotists is expected to graduate this year; they will take a practical examination as part of the Unified State Qualification Exam.
“The profession of prosthetist-orthotist is relatively new within the Ukrainian healthcare system and is currently being developed. We are simultaneously establishing a long-term system for training new specialists and strengthening the practical component already today. It is fundamentally important to us that the training of these specialists is of high quality and that their knowledge and practical skills meet.”
To ensure a faster response to the system’s need for specialists, postgraduate specialization cycles in “Prosthetics and Orthotics” were introduced in Ukraine in 2024. This initiative enabled experienced professionals to complete a specialization program, confirm compliance with qualification requirements, and pass theoretical and practical examinations overseen by international examiners. As of today, 37 specialists have confirmed qualifications as prosthetists-orthotists.
As part of the visit, the minister also reviewed the activities of the GARTA Prosthetics and Adaptation Center in Ternopil. The center is equipped with a material and technical base tailored to the needs of individuals with limb loss, as well as a multidisciplinary team of specialists providing a wide range of services, including diagnostics, physical therapy, hardware-based physiotherapy, psychological support, and assistance at all stages of adaptation to prosthesis use. The State Budget of Ukraine funds prosthetic services at the center.
During the visit to I. Horbachevskyi Ternopil National Medical University, the minister also introduced the newly appointed rector, Petro Lykhatskyi.
“The appointment of a new head of a medical university is always about the future, about how the university will develop in the coming years and how it will respond to the challenges facing medical education and the healthcare system as a whole. The system of medical education is changing rapidly, and today it is no longer only about knowledge transfer, but about training specialists who are ready to work in a modern clinical system.”
During a meeting with the university community, Viktor Liashko outlined key priorities for the further development of medical education, including strengthening the clinical component of training (notably through the establishment of a university hospital and improved organisation of clinical training bases), introducing unified approaches to simulation-based learning, increasing university participation in clinical research, and developing scientific capacity. Special emphasis was placed on nursing education, which requires modern programs, innovative approaches, and a robust academic base, including through the possible establishment of a Coordination Centre for Nursing Development at the university or participating in a pilot project focused on developing nursing care hospitals. Mental health was also identified as a prospective area of focus, with the educational and wellness complex “Chervona Kalyna” considered a potential site for a modern mental health center.
The Minister also met with the Head of the Regional Military Administration, heads of territorial communities, and managers of healthcare institutions. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine regularly holds meetings with heads of structural units responsible for healthcare within regional military administrations to monitor the implementation of key government initiatives in the healthcare sector. During the visit to the Ternopil region, this dialogue was continued directly with representatives from local communities and healthcare institutions of the region.
“The healthcare system functions effectively only when there is constant coordination between the central and regional levels, a shared understanding of priorities, and accountability for implementing decisions. It is at the regional level that the practical results of state policy are formed—that is where people receive medical care, where the effectiveness of implemented decisions becomes evident, and where problems that need to be promptly addressed are identified.”
The agenda also included issues such as providing patients with free medications during inpatient treatment; the availability of free medical services, including elective stenting, joint replacement, and ocular prosthetics; financial security for healthcare workers; support for young doctors; and the further development of rehabilitation and the mental health ecosystem.
The implementation of the national “Health Screening 40+” program, aimed at the early detection of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and mental health disorders, was discussed separately. Today, screening is available at nearly 1,700 healthcare facilities nationwide, including 61 in the Ternopil region. Currently, 20 of the region’s 55 communities have at least one facility offering these services. Expanding this network remains a key priority to ensure that screening is accessible to all residents.
The discussion also addressed measures to improve access to medications. In particular, it emphasized the need to operate municipal pharmacies in all institutions within the capable network, enabling patients to receive necessary medicines directly at medical facilities at the lowest prices. Attention was also given to the development of the “Ukrposhta.Pharmacy” service, which delivers medicines to remote settlements and enhances access for rural residents.