"Donbas-Carpathians" Center: From Relocation to Developing Quality Rehabilitation Services for People with Disabilities

Nearly 360 people with disabilities have undergone rehabilitation since the beginning of the year at the state rehabilitation institution "Donbas-Carpathians" Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.

Back in March 2022, with the support of the Ministry of Social Policy, international partners, and local authorities, the institution was urgently relocated from Kramatorsk. This saved the lives of patients and staff while allowing the continuation of quality rehabilitation services for adults and children with disabilities.

Today, the "Donbas-Carpathians" Center operates not only in Ivano-Frankivsk but also has a branch in the village of Uhryniv. People with disabilities, including veterans and their family members, receive medical, physical, sports, and psychosocial rehabilitation services here.

Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Volodymyr Vasylenko and General Director of the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities Vitaliy Muzychenko visited the "Donbas-Carpathians" Center and its Uhryniv branch. A new building was recently opened there, and construction of a modern barrier-free pool for children and adults with disabilities is underway.

The visit took place as part of a trip to the Carpathian region by members of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Policy and Veterans' Rights Protection.

"Before the relocation of 'Donbas' to the Carpathian region, there were no similar rehabilitation institutions here. Accordingly, local residents in need of quality rehabilitation had no opportunity to receive it. We are grateful to the Center's team, which now provides such assistance to people with disabilities, as well as to the partners who helped relocate the institution at the time. The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine systematically supports the network of state rehabilitation institutions and works to expand access to quality rehabilitation services for people with disabilities," said Volodymyr Vasylenko, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine.

The "Donbas-Carpathians" Center is an example of how, despite forced relocation, a state institution managed to fully restore its functions, expand opportunities for comprehensive rehabilitation of people with disabilities, and become a unique center in the Carpathian region.

"'Donbas-Carpathians' not only preserved its reputation but also expanded its range of services. Today, people here can not only recover physically but also receive comprehensive psycho-social rehabilitation. In the first half of 2025 alone, the Center's services were provided to 360 people, including 116 children. The center can simultaneously accommodate up to 30 people from different regions of Ukraine. All those coming from other cities are provided with accommodation and meals. Despite all the difficulties faced by the institution and our team, we are developing. Our task is not just to 'treat.' We help a person regain themselves. And each such story is a great victory over pain, despair, and circumstances," said Svitlana Fomina, head of the Center.

To receive services at the "Donbas-Carpathians" rehabilitation center, one should contact the executive body of the village, town, or city council or the local social protection authority. An application for comprehensive rehabilitation services can be submitted by a person with a disability or their legal representative.

Address of the "Donbas-Carpathians" rehabilitation center:

Ivano-Frankivsk, 1 Heroes of UPA St.

Address of the center's branch in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast:

Uhryniv village, 438 Independence St.

The "Donbas-Carpathians" Center's social media page

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