Copenhagen, 19 September 2024 – Fifteen Ukrainian healthcare professionals from across Ukraine have completed an intensive training programme in Denmark, thanks to the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

The programme, hosted at the Sahva Clinic in the Danish capital Copenhagen, focused on advanced rehabilitation techniques for victims of explosive ordnance (EO) and was made possible through funding from the governments of Sweden and Malta.

The Ukrainian healthcare professionals were drawn from six Ukrainian Ministry of Health (MoH) Centres of Excellence (CoEs).

The war in Ukraine has led to an unprecedented rise in EO-related injuries, creating a critical need for specialized rehabilitation services. UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, organized this training to equip Ukrainian specialists with the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to injured civilians and veterans. 

The Sahva Clinic was founded in 1872 as a charity aiding people with physical disabilities. It is the largest provider of orthoses and prothesis in Denmark, with its skilled specialists combining traditional craftsmanship and innovative technology to tailor individual solutions for patients.

The training initiative is part of UNDP’s ongoing effort to strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare capacity amid the ongoing war.

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, highlighted the importance of the training in the current context: “This project is not only about professional growth for the participants but also about ensuring that victims of explosive ordnances, in need of rehabilitation services, receive the best evidence-based care available,” Cilliers said.

“The severity and complex nature of the injuries now witnessed – not only in specialized hospitals but across Ukraine – has drastically increased the need for new rehabilitation methods and professional knowledge.”

Rasmus Sylvest Mortensen, Regional Manager of the Sahva Clinic, said it was an honour to collaborate with UNDP and contribute to empowering Ukrainian healthcare professionals with the expertise needed to transform rehabilitation services in their home country.

“This initiative ensures that the victims of conflict receive the highest standard of care possible, and also strengthens our partnerships with Ukraine and UNDP,” Mortensen said.

The seven-day programme provided Ukrainian healthcare professionals with training in key areas such as polytrauma, pre-prosthetic and prosthetic rehabilitation, high-intensity gait training, and long-term pain management. 

The curriculum was designed to address the unique challenges faced by those treating victims of EO injuries in Ukraine, where healthcare resources are stretched thin. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, and practical sessions, participants gained critical skills that will enhance rehabilitation services across the country.

The success of this training marks a significant step forward in UNDP’s broader strategy to support Ukraine’s healthcare system, which is under immense pressure due to the ongoing war. The Ministry of Health has prioritized the development of Centres of Excellence that can serve not only as treatment facilities but also as training hubs to disseminate new techniques and knowledge throughout the healthcare sector. By supporting this initiative, UNDP is helping to build the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system in Ukraine.

As part of the programme, participants will engage in a “Training of Trainers” model, where they will pass on the knowledge gained during the training to colleagues across Ukraine. This model ensures that the impact of the programme extends far beyond the initial group of 15 specialists, ultimately benefiting healthcare professionals and patients nationwide.

Olena Dolynna, Head of the Rehabilitation Centre at Vinnytsia Regional Clinical Psychoneurological Hospital, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity: “I’m sincerely grateful to my Danish colleagues for their warm welcome and willingness to share their extensive experience,” Dolynna said. “The lectures and practical sessions provided us with practical skills and useful advice.  The knowledge and skills acquired during the training will work for results in Ukrainian rehabilitation centres in a week.”

Mykhailo Kochetkov, a physical therapist at Dnipro City Clinical Hospital #4, reflected on the training’s impact: “This training, without exaggeration, is one of the best I have ever attended,” he said. “It was so practical and hands-on that I will be able to apply the knowledge and skills almost immediately upon returning to Ukraine. This is not just training – it is a step towards a new standard of rehabilitation services in our country.”

Adding a personal dimension to the importance of the training, Olga Kulishova, a patient of the Sahva Clinic, shared her experience: “I’m very happy that Ukrainian doctors have the wonderful opportunity to learn from their foreign colleagues,” Kulishova said. “After losing my leg due to the war, I personally felt the importance of proper rehabilitation and customized training. The specialists at Sahva Clinic gave me back a full life. I sincerely hope that this training will enable Ukrainian doctors to help their patients adapt to prosthetics more quickly, allowing them to return to independent living sooner.”

This project, part of UNDP's broader mandate to support Ukraine’s recovery, highlights a collaboration between the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and Sahva Clinic under the South-South and Triangular Cooperation model. By facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building, UNDP ensures healthcare professionals in Ukraine have the tools to provide specialized care and rehabilitation services, addressing the growing demand as the war continues.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org