Strengthening Occupational Therapy in Ukraine

Rehab4U and the Ukrainian Society of Ergotherapists Join Forces to Develop Occupational Therapy in Ukraine

On January 16, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the USAID funded-project Rehab4U and the Ukrainian Society of Ergotherapists (USET). This collaboration marks a significant step towards creating a sustainable, inclusive, and accessible rehabilitation system that meets international standards and provides high-quality care to those in need.

The Memorandum outlines joint efforts to improve professional standards, enhance educational programs for occupational therapists, and raise public awareness of the importance of occupational therapy as a profession.

Advancing Occupational Therapy: the Role of Rehab4U

Occupational therapy is a key component of rehabilitation that focuses on restoring the independence of people with functional impairments in daily life. It encompasses physical, social, and mental aspects, helping people recover from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries.

“USAID invests in rehabilitation because we know that Ukraine’s greatest resource is its people. This MOU will strengthen Ukraine's ability to provide quality occupational therapy services to ensure successful rehabilitation outcomes, so people can return to work and school, ultimately contributing to Ukraine’s economic recovery,” said Robin Martz, Director of USAID's Office of Health.

Rehab4U, the largest USAID-funded rehabilitation project in Ukraine, is implemented by Momentum Wheels for Humanity in partnership with Results for Development , Project HOPE , the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine, and 德勤 .

Together with USET representatives, Rehab4U will actively work on:

• Collaborating with universities to improve master's programs in occupational therapy.
• Providing grant support to universities to enhance their material and technical resources.
• Improving specialization programs in occupational therapy for practitioners.
• Developing regulatory frameworks for the profession, including defining the occupational therapist’s scope of practice.
• Conducting training for occupational therapy educators and creating modern teaching materials.

Collaboration with the Ukrainian Society of Ergotherapists will combine efforts and expertise, creating conditions for sustainable systemic changes in the rehabilitation system.

“We are pleased to join forces with the Ukrainian Society of Ergotherapists? and work side by side to advance this important profession in Ukraine. I am confident that we will not only improve the quality of occupational therapy services but also create conditions for the sustainable development of the entire rehabilitation system,”said Oleksii Iaremenko, Momentum Wheels for Humanity's Rehab4U Chief of Party.

In the coming years, Rehab4U and USET will focus on enhancing specialists' qualifications, creating modern educational materials, defining the scope of practice, and improving professional standards at the national level.

Background

Rehab4U is a five-year project aimed at developing the rehabilitation system in Ukraine. Its goal is to create a sustainable and inclusive rehabilitation system that helps restore functional abilities, social participation, and economic opportunities for all in need. Rehab4U is funded by USAID and implemented by Momentum Wheels for Humanity in partnership with Results for Development, Project HOPE, the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine, and Deloitte.

The Ukrainian Society of Ergotherapists (USET) is a professional organization uniting occupational therapists in Ukraine, promoting the development of the profession, implementing international standards, and improving the quality of rehabilitation services