During a working trip to Kyiv region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the restored Borodyanka Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation, which was completely destroyed by the Russian occupiers in March 2022.
In the same year, the Head of State donated the $100,000 prize he received with the award of the Medal of Freedom to restore the institution.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected the physical and sports rehabilitation section, which includes massage rooms, a doctor's office and a gym, a psychological rehabilitation center, an ergo, art and cryotherapy room, as well as a virtual reality room and a shelter.
The Head of State talked to one of the veterans who is undergoing rehabilitation at the center after a serious injury, inquired about the conditions of treatment and the quality of services.
"Our men and women who come here will receive professional help. I am glad that this is a modern center. The team will work to ensure that there are more specialists here after the full opening. This is the right start and the right signal for all regions to find opportunities and money for rehabilitation," the President noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that along with the construction of rehabilitation centers, it is also necessary to expand the network of rehabilitation departments for veterans in regional hospitals.
"It depends not only on the Ministry of Veterans, but also on local authorities. And on the Ministry of Health. We met with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health, and they are creating a large network in regional hospitals. It is faster than building the whole center. Today, in times of war, a parallel process is the right approach. It should be done very quickly at hospitals, because rehabilitation is needed now. We need to use all the capabilities, all the infrastructure and all the ministries. It is right that everyone does it together," the Head of State emphasized.
The center has created a space for psychological, social support, physical and sports rehabilitation of veterans, their families and families of fallen defenders. The center's psychologists will support veterans in learning self-help methods and first aid in stressful situations. The center also has a space for educational events, trainings and research on the implementation of special approaches and new standards for the successful return of veterans to civilian life.
The facility has nine hotel rooms for outpatient stays. The rehabilitation program for veterans is free of charge thanks to donor funding.
The center is expected to treat an average of more than two thousand veterans a year.
