First Mobile Rehabilitation Unit in Ukraine with an Occupational Therapy Kitchen Opened in Bohuslav

BOHUSLAV, September 15, 2025—The first mobile rehabilitation unit in Ukraine equipped with a kitchen for occupational therapy sessions has been launched in Bohuslav, Kyiv region, allowing patients to regain daily life skills.

The mobile unit, constructed with the support of PrivatBank, the “Mindy” charity fund, Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, plays a crucial role in rehabilitation after strokes, traumatic brain injuries, upper limb injuries, amputations, and other conditions that reduce independence. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the “Barrier-Free” NGO within the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.

“Rehabilitation in healthcare is rapidly developing as the demand for these services continues to grow. Rehabilitation units are expanding nationwide—both inpatient and outpatient. I am grateful to everyone contributing to speeding up this process. Being able to recover closer to home, within your own community, is a step towards accessibility, continuity, and greater efficiency of care. This is equally important for both military personnel and civilians in need of quality rehabilitation support. The President has set a goal: every community with a healthcare facility must have a barrier-free outpatient rehabilitation unit. Already today, 523 medical institutions have contracts with the National Health Service of Ukraine for such services, and more than 200,000 Ukrainians received them in 2025. Our purpose is that every person has the chance for full recovery and a return to active life after injury or illness,” said Minister of Health Viktor Liashko.

The unit will be staffed by a case manager, a psychologist, a doctor of physical and rehabilitation medicine, a physical therapist, a speech therapist, and other specialists. Patients will have access to physical rehabilitation, gait training with prosthetics, prosthetic support, occupational and speech therapy, along with psychological and other assistance. The occupational therapy kitchen will allow patients to practice daily life skills such as cooking.

The services of the unit will be available to patients of Bohuslav Central Hospital, on whose premises the unit has been installed.

“PrivatBank is helping bring rehabilitation services closer to communities, especially in remote areas. These units can be quickly installed on sites without long preparation, which means quality rehabilitation services are becoming more accessible to patients who need them. Through such projects, we aim to support the government and communities and be a leader in building a barrier-free environment,” said Dmytro Musiienko, Member of the Board of PrivatBank.

“Within the mental health support network being developed by the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program ‘How Are You?’, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska, there are anchor points—real, on-the-ground services that provide solutions for any need or condition. Mobile rehabilitation units are such anchor points for both individuals and communities that welcome defenders and care for all residents. It is a great joy that these spaces are becoming magnets for businesses. We thank the members of the ‘Business Without Barriers’ community—PrivatBank and Visa—for their support,” said Oksana Zbitnieva, Head of the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Head of the “Barrier-Free” NGO.

The unit is particularly important for the rehabilitation of veterans recovering from injuries.

“On more than 100 square meters of space, veterans will be able to simultaneously undergo physical rehabilitation, receive psychological support, study, and take part in training sessions. Another unique feature of this unit is the specialized kitchen for occupational therapy, where patients can learn to use prosthetics and regain confidence in everyday situations,” said Taras Yermakov, co-founder of the “Mindy” charity fund.

This is the second time PrivatBank has partnered with the “Barrier-Free” NGO, the “Mindy” charity fund, Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and the Kyiv Regional Military Administration to expand the network of mobile rehabilitation units. There are already eight such units operating in communities across Ukraine, but this is the first one equipped with a specialized kitchen for rehabilitation.

“Mobile rehabilitation units are a way to bring high-quality, inclusive support even to small towns. For Visa, this project has special value because it combines our global expertise with the real needs of Ukrainian veterans and civilians affected by the war. Through the partnership with the government, the business sector represented by PrivatBank, and the community, we have created a space where people can receive medical and psychological support, restore their strength, and take a step toward active life,” said Nataliia Voitovych, Visa Senior Director, Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.

The installation of the mobile rehabilitation unit in Bohuslav is part of a social franchise implemented by the “Mindy” charity fund in cooperation with the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the “Barrier-Free” NGO within the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?”, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska. The project was made possible due to the support of the members of the “Business Without Barriers” community, Visa and PrivatBank, and with the assistance of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration. Additional support was provided by the Bohuslav District State Administration and Bohuslav City Council.

BACKGROUND

The expanded-type mobile rehabilitation unit, designed by the “Mindy” charity fund and installed on the premises of Bohuslav Central Hospital, is one of the largest in its series. Covering 116 m², it includes two additional rooms—a kitchen and a multipurpose room. The expanded space allows the unit to simultaneously hold sessions of occupational therapy, individual and group physical rehabilitation, psychological support, training specialists, and educational programs for veterans.

A specialized occupational therapy kitchen makes it possible to engage a professional occupational therapist, which is a new type of service for most remote communities, and includes:

• adaptive furniture (with open/closed sections, LED lighting, and a folding work surface);
• household appliances: cooktop with manual controls, sink, extractor hood, refrigerator, microwave oven;
• occupational therapy utensils and equipment.

The kitchen simulates a household environment to help patients regain essential independent living skills after strokes, traumatic brain injuries, upper limb injuries, amputations, and other conditions that reduce independence. It also allows patients to practice using prosthetics in everyday life.

The additional multipurpose room can serve as an expanded space for physical therapy, a doctor’s office, a classroom for group art therapy, a venue for training and education sessions, a gathering place for veterans, a space for watching football matches and films, a yoga studio, and a space for many other activities.