Ukraine has simplified the process of replacing the receiving sleeve of a prosthesis, which ensures its attachment to the body. Veterans will now be able to receive a lifetime referral for all the necessary components by contacting a prosthetic company. This was announced by Olena Kulchytska, Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy, on a Ukrainian TV channel.
According to Kulchytska, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution that came into force on 30 October.
‘It stipulates that the replacement of the receiving sleeve (stump receiver), which is used to attach the prosthesis to the body, is carried out by the decision of the prosthetic company and is funded by the state,’ she said.
Previously, in order to receive funding for the replacement of the residual limb, it was necessary to have a conclusion from a multidisciplinary team, medical and social or military medical commission.
‘This path was too complicated, and, accordingly, having heard the calls of veterans, we adopted a change that simplifies this procedure and reduces it to cooperation only with a prosthetic company. To receive components for prostheses, you need to contact a prosthetic company. The relevant changes stipulate that veterans with amputations receive a lifetime referral for all these components and all types of support they need,’ Kulchytska said.
Veterans can now contact the prosthetics company every time their prosthesis or its parts come to the end of their service life.
‘Each prosthesis and each component of the prosthesis has its own service life, its own period of use, and after that it must be replaced at the expense of the state. Accordingly, these changes we are talking about now stipulate that such a referral is given to a person for life, and he or she can use it when the period for which the relevant device was issued has expired. He or she can immediately apply for a new one,’ Kulchytska summarised.
