On November 28, 2025, a large-scale conference titled “The Importance of Peer Support in Promoting the Independence of People with Physical Impairments and Injuries” was held in Kyiv. Organized by the WHO Country Office in Ukraine with financial support from the European Union, the event focused on the integration of veteran experience and grassroots initiatives into the state healthcare system. Our team participated in the conference proceedings.

The necessity of involving veteran organizations in the rehabilitation process is driven by critical statistics: as of early 2025, the number of injuries among service members is estimated at 390,000, with the number of amputation surgeries reaching the 100,000 mark. Given the acute shortage of specialized medical personnel, the “peer-to-peer” support model becomes critically important for the adaptation of individuals with severe injuries. As the organizers emphasized, the involvement of experienced veterans in the recovery process of their fellow service members aligns with Article 26 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which mandates the state to promote maximum independence for its citizens.

 

Oleksandr Tereshchenko was a participant in the specialized panel “Peer Support for Health Equity: Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Ukraine.” He presented the Foundation’s practical developments, focusing on two strategic areas:

  1. Development of Patient Communities: Discussing the role of mutual support as a tool for building internal recovery resources and overcoming psychological barriers following amputations.

  2. Overcoming Rehabilitation Challenges: Analyzing existing obstacles within the healthcare system and proposing solutions through the involvement of individuals with “lived experience” of trauma as experts.

The discussion featured leading sector partners — Vitaliy Pcholkin (Active Rehabilitation Group), Liubov Galan (NGO “Pryncyp”), and Marla Quinn, WHO Rehabilitation Lead. The collaborative work of these organizations highlighted a transition from fragmented volunteer initiatives toward the formation of a professional peer-to-peer support community in Ukraine.

 

Following the discussions, Foundation representatives, along with international experts (including Sue Eitel and ENIL specialists), contributed to the development of recommendations for the standardization of such services.

The primary outcomes for the sector included agreements on:

  • The inclusion of the mutual support model into national healthcare policy;

  • Strengthening intersectoral cooperation between veteran foundations, the state, and the WHO;

  • Creating a platform to disseminate successful rehabilitation cases across all regions of Ukraine.

This event demonstrated that the expertise of the Oleksandr Tereshchenko Foundation and similar organizations serves as the foundation for a person-centered rehabilitation system, where the experience of overcoming trauma becomes a tool for the recovery of others.