“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans

From project management to support for Ukraine

Arturas Žarnovskis talks about his work and the agency's mission:

I work for the Central Project Management Agency of Lithuania. Our agency implements projects for the development of operational projects in other countries. Right now, of course, Ukraine is our main focus.

He explains his role in more detail:

We implement a variety of projects and programs, including recovery projects. I lead the Co-Create Future of Ukraine program, but in general I've been the team leader for recovery projects since the full-scale invasion in 2022. This means that I coordinate all our efforts to support Ukraine at this critical time.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

Strategic vision: successful Ukraine - successful Lithuania

Speaking about the main idea of the projects, Žarnovskis emphasizes the deep connection between Ukraine's success and Lithuania's security:

We in Lithuania believe that a successful Ukraine is a key element of a successful Lithuania. These are not just words - it is our strategic vision. We understand that Ukraine's stability and prosperity directly affect the security of the entire region, including Lithuania.

He continues, detailing the main areas of work:

We focus on three main components: the future generation (students in schools and kindergartens), refugees and their possible return, and veterans and their integration into society. Each of these areas is critical to Ukraine's recovery and development.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

We pay special attention to the rehabilitation of veterans:

Our goal is to provide a full cycle of support: from the moment of injury to full recovery and return to a full life. This includes everything from infrastructure to medical, physical and psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration. We understand that veterans are not just former military personnel, but people who need comprehensive support to fully return to civilian life.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

A comprehensive approach to rehabilitation

The program, for which the Lithuanian government has allocated EUR 15 million, aims to improve the quality of services related to rehabilitation (medical and psychosocial) and reintegration into normal life for war veterans, as well as to promote the development of a network of rehabilitation and reintegration services and institutions.

It consists of four interrelated projects. Žarnovskis explains the structure in detail:

Three of them are infrastructure projects in different regions of Ukraine, and the fourth is a soft expertise project. This structure allows us to cover different aspects of rehabilitation and work at different levels of the Ukrainian healthcare system.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

In terms of infrastructure projects, they are working to improve conditions in three key medical facilities:

1. Dnipro University Hospital (subordinated to the Ministry of Health), where the project aims to adapt the building's premises for the operation of a 50-bed spinal cord injury rehabilitation center, including the installation of a wheelchair workshop and a training room.

2. Military Hospital in Zhytomyr (subordinated to the Ministry of Defense) - the premises will be reconstructed to include 15 patient rooms, physiotherapy and rehabilitation rooms with modern equipment, a dining room, and an outdoor fitness area. It is also planned to convert the basement into a shelter for the safety of patients and staff.

3. Rehabilitation center “Unbreakable” of the Lviv City Rehabilitation Center, branch in Bryukhovychi (subordinated to the municipality).The purpose of this project is to reconstruct and expand the branch so that the center can treat up to 120 patients at a time.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

Zarnovskis emphasizes the importance of this diversity:

These three projects give us the opportunity to work with different structures and understand the full picture of the rehabilitation system in Ukraine. We can study the peculiarities of each type of institution and develop the most effective approaches to rehabilitation in different settings.

"Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

Innovations in rehabilitation

The soft expertise project is aimed at improving the quality of services for war veterans and improving the range of rehabilitation services (medical, psychosocial and social). Žarnovskis elaborates on five key aspects:

1. Objective measurement of the rehabilitation process:

We implement systems and protocols to assess the patient's baseline condition and track rehabilitation progress. This allows us not only to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, but also to adapt rehabilitation programs to the needs of each patient.

2. Physical rehabilitation:

We conduct trainings for our staff in Lithuania and Ukraine, and organize the exchange of experience between our university hospitals and Ukrainian medical institutions. This allows us to implement the most modern methods of physical rehabilitation adapted to the needs of veterans.

3. Mental health:

We are working on systematizing the experience available in Ukraine, supporting knowledge exchange and professional development of specialists. Psychological rehabilitation is critically important for veterans, and we strive to provide the highest level of these services.

4. Reintegration:

We focus on the adaptation of people with disabilities, supporting non-governmental organizations that work with veterans and providing emotional, physical and practical support. Our goal is not just to cure physical injuries, but also to help veterans return to a full life in society.

5. Analytics and research:

We analyze the current situation, track progress and develop recommendations for the government on how to scale up successful practices. This allows us to continuously improve our approaches and provide the most effective assistance.

Žarnovskis emphasizes the importance of this diversity:

These three projects give us the opportunity to work with different structures and understand the full picture of the rehabilitation system in Ukraine. We can study the peculiarities of each type of institution and develop the most effective approaches to rehabilitation in different settings.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans / photo: Maria Dziuba

Challenges and adaptation

Speaking about challenges, Žarnovskis notes:

The main challenges are related to infrastructure projects. These are security issues, especially in the frontline regions, problems with electricity supply and labor shortages. However, we understand these risks and are ready to accept them.

He adds:

We believe it is better to act now than to wait until the war is over. Every day we spend waiting is a lost opportunity to help those who need rehabilitation today.

Regarding the “soft” part of the project, Žarnovskis notes:

The challenges are related to the organization of training and experience exchange. We have to find a balance between the daily work of medical staff and their training. This requires careful planning and flexibility on our part.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

Mutual benefit

When asked about the benefits for Lithuania, Žarnovskis answers:

By supporting Ukraine, we are also developing. Lithuania has long been a recipient of aid, and now we are learning to be an effective donor. This is an important part of our foreign policy and our development as a responsible member of the international community.

It emphasizes the importance of bilateral exchange:

This is a two-way exchange - our specialists also learn a lot from their Ukrainian colleagues, especially in the areas of crisis psychology and rehabilitation in war. The experience of Ukrainian doctors and psychologists is invaluable, and we are integrating this knowledge into our own healthcare system.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

Plans for the future

Regarding the future of the projects, Zarnovskis says:

Our program is designed for 24 months, but we understand that the situation is very dynamic. We try to be flexible and adapt to changes. Our goal is not only to implement specific projects in the program, but also to create a model that can be scaled up and attract additional funding from other international donors.

He adds:

We are also working to ensure that our projects are part of a broader rehabilitation strategy in Ukraine. We are working closely with the Ukrainian government and international partners to ensure that our efforts are sustainable and effective in the long term.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

Evaluating the success of projects

Žarnovskis talks in detail about the methods of evaluating the effectiveness of their work:

We plan to conduct an impact study of our projects. This will include interviews with patients, their families and doctors. It would be ideal to compare the rates of suicide, criminalization, divorce, and addiction among veterans who have been rehabilitated in our centers with the national average.

However, he recognizes the difficulties in obtaining complete data:

We understand that in the context of the ongoing war, it will be difficult to obtain complete data. Therefore, we focus on more direct indicators. For physical rehabilitation, we use objective indicators of strength, mobility and adaptability. In the field of mental health, there are also methods of objective assessment.

As for reintegration, Žarnovskis explains:

We assess the early stages of adaptation: how well a person can take care of themselves, their mobility and adaptability to the new labor market. These indicators give us an idea of the effectiveness of our rehabilitation and reintegration programs.

“Once a hero, always a hero": Lithuanian rehabilitation program for Ukrainian veterans/photo: Maria Dziuba

The main message

At the end of the conversation, Arturas Žarnovskis shares his main message:

Those who became a hero are a hero forever. These people have fulfilled their duty by defending not only Ukraine but the whole of Europe. Now it is our duty to take care of them. They will have a second ministry - rebuilding the country. And we have to provide them with all the support they need to do that.

He also adds, expressing his admiration for Ukraine:

I want to recognize the incredible strength and courage of Ukrainians. The way Ukraine is simultaneously fighting a war, rebuilding, reforming and moving towards the EU is impressive. I think the world has a lot to learn from Ukraine and its civil society.

Zarnovskis summarizes:

Our work is not just about projects. It is an investment in the future of Ukraine, and therefore in the future of the whole of Europe. We believe that each restored veteran is not only a saved life, but also a powerful resource for the country's reconstruction and development.

The project of Lithuanian assistance in the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans is a vivid example of true solidarity and strategic thinking.

Realizing that Ukraine's success is the key to the security of the entire region, Lithuania invests not only in infrastructure but also in human potential.