First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska together with Minister of Health Viktor Liashko took part in the presentation of the handbook “SPINALIS. A New Page of Life with Spinal Cord Injury,” which was held during the visit of the Swedish delegation to Kyiv. The delegation included Minister for Health Care of Sweden Acko Ankarberg Johansson and co-author of the handbook Professor Claes Hultling.
“This handbook is the result of my visit to Stockholm last year. So I am especially pleased to host Swedish friends and partners of Ukraine in Kyiv today. Sweden has consistently and confidently supported Ukraine and our people – both those seeking refuge, fleeing Russian aggression, and those in need of rehabilitation and recovery,” Olena Zelenska said.
The First Lady received a copy of the SPINALIS handbook as a gift from its authors, Swedish professors Richard Levi and Claes Hultling, during her visit to the rehabilitation center of the same name last September. At the time, she suggested translating the publication into Ukrainian.
“Now it is the first handbook in Ukraine on life after spinal cord injury. It combines both practicality for professionals and openness for people with this injury and their families,” Olena Zelenska said.
The SPINALIS handbook is available in electronic format on the “How are you?” platform. Copies of this edition will be distributed to rehabilitation centers, organizations working with people with spinal cord injuries, and regional military administrations.
“Not only to provide professionals with a working tool, but also to spread the philosophy embodied in the SPINALIS handbook: to live an active life after an injury,” the President's wife added.
In addition, during the event, the Spinalis Foundation and the Rivne Regional War Veterans Hospital signed a memorandum on medical partnership. In total, 50 partnerships between Ukrainian and foreign clinics were concluded. The international medical partnership program was launched at the Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in September 2023.