The First Lady visited the site together with the Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, the Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Yulia Sokolovska, and the Advisor, Presidential Commissioner for a Barrier-Free Environment Tetiana Lomakina.
Olena Zelenska spoke with military personnel who are undergoing rehabilitation at the clinic and visited the rehabilitation facilities and houses where the patients live.
"Treatment can take a long time, so many patients live in comfortable houses on the territory of the clinic. They are fully inclusive, so people with disabilities can feel comfortable staying there. I hope and believe that our entire environment will gradually become like this — comfortable for everyone. Because we owe it not only to the wounded in the war but also to the whole society wounded by the war," the First Lady said.
The main task of this state institution is the treatment and physical and psychological rehabilitation of patients suffering from traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Thanks to the cooperation of professional interdisciplinary teams and advanced medical and rehabilitation equipment, patients can undergo a complete cycle of recovery from the most severe injuries, wounds, and diseases in one place. For the past two years, the majority of patients have been military personnel. As a result, the specialists have gained considerable experience in dealing with combat trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, wounds, and mine blast injuries.
Olena Zelenska also visited the resilience center in Rivne. This is where Ukrainians can restore lost documents, get advice on support programs for veterans and their families, learn about employment opportunities or start their own businesses, and consult with lawyers. This center provides psychological help to children and adults and enables them to learn self-help skills.
There are already 24 resilience centers in 13 regions of Ukraine. The state program was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and is a part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program.
"Resilience is defined as the ability to remain mentally stable and productive even in stressful situations. Our resilience is tested every day, but we have the power to develop and maintain it," the First Lady emphasized.
