Ukraine and Switzerland launch the TRUE project to develop a modern rehabilitation system
“TRUE—Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine” is a four-year Ukrainian-Swiss project launched to support the development of a modern rehabilitation system in Ukraine. The initiative is funded by Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and will be implemented by the Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “Patients of Ukraine” and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH).
The official document on the launch of the project to develop a rehabilitation system in Ukraine has been signed by Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine, and Ambassador Jacques Gerber, the Federal Council Delegate for Ukraine, who is currently on a working visit to Ukraine.
“Switzerland supports Ukraine not only in overcoming the consequences of war but also in building a resilient system that will help people return to their normal lives. Rehabilitation is about dignity, recovery, and faith in the future. We are proud that our joint efforts contribute to sustainable, systemic change.”
The “TRUE—Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine project” will run until 2029 and aims to develop a people-centered, resilient rehabilitation system based on a capable network of healthcare facilities. These institutions are contracted with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) under the relevant package and provide rehabilitation assistance free of charge within the framework of the Program of Medical Guarantees.
“We continue to develop a modern rehabilitation system in Ukraine based on evidence-based practices, accessibility, and people-centered care. The flagship project, ‘Development of the Rehabilitation Assistance System,’ is a key part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment. High-quality rehabilitation means that individuals can recover from injury and return to normal life—this is our understanding of barrier-free access. The President of Ukraine has set an ambitious goal: to create the strongest rehabilitation system in Europe. Together with our partners, we are building a network that will provide Ukrainians with high-quality, accessible, and free rehabilitation services. Cooperation with Switzerland strengthens this effort by helping to train specialists, equip hospitals with modern equipment, and implement sustainable care pathways. The TRUE project represents another step toward systemic change in rehabilitation.”
The TRUE initiative will support the implementation of best international practices in Ukraine and the development of national expertise to ensure that Ukrainians receive high-quality, free rehabilitation services in their local hospitals and can return to an active social life. The project is funded by Switzerland with nearly CHF 9 million.
All planned activities will be carried out by improving legislation, regulatory frameworks, and rehabilitation standards, as well as by directly developing rehabilitation services at the local level.
The Ukrainian-Swiss project will also focus on supporting the professional development of specialists by modernizing higher education in rehabilitation and enhancing specialists' qualifications through training courses, workshops, and knowledge exchange. Furthermore, under the “TRUE—Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine” initiative, healthcare institutions will receive modern rehabilitation equipment and assistive devices to aid patient recovery. Additionally, special attention will be given to creating clear patient pathways, ensuring smooth transitions from hospital care to home, and facilitating access to social services.
“TRUE—Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine” also aims to promote inclusion, tolerance, and the reduction of stigma toward persons with disabilities. This initiative represents an important step in implementing the flagship project of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine “Development of the Rehabilitation Assistance System,” which is a key part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment.
As a reminder, “Barrier-Free Means When You Can” is a nationwide social change campaign initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The campaign aims to promote the principles of barrier-free access and encourage people to participate in building a country without barriers.
To ensure effective and coordinated operation of the rehabilitation system, the TRUE project will be implemented in close cooperation with state institutions, including the Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Barrier-Free Environment, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, and the National Health Service of Ukraine, as well as professional communities such as the Protez Hub Charitable Foundation, the Ukrainian Association of Physical Therapists, and the Ukrainian Speech and Language Therapy Society.
The support of Switzerland in the development of Ukraine's rehabilitation system began in 2018, following a request from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to implement the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). This initiative laid the foundation for the further development of rehabilitation services in the country. The TRUE project builds upon the “Rehabilitation of War Trauma Consequences in Ukraine” initiative, launched in June 2022, which was also supported by Switzerland.