Transforming Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Rakhiv City in Ukraine
- Zsuzsanna Bozo
- Dec 14
- 5 min read
Visiting "Rakhiv District Hospital of the Rakhiv City Council of the Transcarpathian Region" (known as Rakhiv District Hospital) revealed both the challenges and the promising progress in healthcare for this community. Welcomed by the hospital director and the city mayor, we had the opportunity to see firsthand how patients are cared for and what improvements are underway. Our partnership with the Transcarpathia region's Military Administration resulted a new set of equipment for the inpatient ward. Local support to complete the renovations of the OUTPATIENT space made it possible for us to bring in equipment to help create this service. This post shares insights from our visit, the current situation, and the steps ahead.
Understanding the Inpatient Ward and Its Challenges
Our first stop was the inpatient ward, where patients receive round-the-clock care. The ward is equipped with essential medical devices and staffed by dedicated healthcare workers. Despite limited resources, the team works hard to maintain a supportive environment for recovery.
One pressing issue we encountered is the hospital’s broken elevator. Currently, there is no budget to replace it, which creates significant difficulties. Patients must be transported between floors using a "step walking chair," a manual device that requires two staff members to carry patients up stairs. This process is slow and physically demanding for both patients and staff.
Alex Davern, who coordinates much of the support for Ukraine, volunteered to try the chair. He was strapped in and carried halfway up a floor. While he found the experience manageable, he noted that for patients with back or other painful injuries, this method could cause additional discomfort and delay care. This problem needs urgent attention to improve patient safety and staff efficiency.
Balázs Trauttmann from the Hungarian Dragon Feeders Foundation has committed to exploring fundraising options and obtaining a second cost estimate for a new elevator. This support could be a vital step toward solving this challenge.
Progress in the Outpatient Department
Our project focuses on the outpatient department, which has undergone a remarkable transformation since January 2025.
Photos of Rakhiv Regional Hospital - Outpatient rehabilitation space, BEFORE Direct Aid / Photots by Zsuzsanna Bozo
Previously a run-down kitchen-diner, the space now feels fresh, bright, with only the flooring to be finished. The biggest advantage is its location on the ground floor, eliminating the need for a chair lift and ensuring wheelchair access.
The state of a new outpatient rehabilitation space, 2025 December. Photos by: Rakhiv Hospital
The outpatient department will serve patients who require ongoing treatment after leaving the inpatient ward. This setup will help reduce hospital stays and improve patient comfort by providing a dedicated area for follow-up care.
The clinic provided us with a shopping list of equipment valued up to 80,000 Euros. After agreeing on the list, we launched a tender process to source the necessary items from the Ukrainian market. Our partners at GER3 are managing this process, and we expect the equipment to arrive this month. The official opening is planned for January.
Collaboration and Community Support
This project highlights the importance of collaboration between local authorities, international partners, and community organizations. The hospital director and city mayor have shown a strong commitment to improving healthcare services despite budget constraints.
Our joint partnership with the Transcarpathian Military Administration ensures that training equipment and resources reach the hospital. The involvement of generous people like Alex Davern and strengthens the support network. By addressing urgent issues like the elevator and upgrading the outpatient department, we aim to create a more efficient and patient-friendly hospital environment. These improvements will benefit not only current patients but also the wider community in the long term.
Understanding the Community's Challenges - The Impact of War
We were invited to lunch at a local traditional restaurant, where the Mayor of the city and the Director of the hospital joined us. The setting was very informal, providing an opportunity to better understand the specific situation of this mountain community. This community is currently looking after over 400 internally displaced citizens. While the war is several hundred kilometers away, it has a significant impact on this small local community. Despite being a beautiful region that should be thriving on local and international tourism, the focus has shifted to survival.
Symulyk Volodymyr Kornel , the Director of the Hospital, speaking of gratitude
The ongoing conflict has created challenges that affect the local economy and social structure. The community is working hard to support those displaced, but the strain is evident as they navigate these difficult circumstances. It is crucial to recognize the resilience of this community and the importance of support from external sources to help them thrive once again.
Yevhen Molnar, Rakhiv’s acting mayor, explaining the difficulties of a mountain region
Tribute to Fallen Heroes
We have paid our respects to the fallen heroes of the district. In the main city square of Rakhiv, there is a memorial displaying pictures of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The city's mayor kindly brought us candles, and we lit them together in remembrance. Just yesterday, the community held a funeral for a young boy, who was brought home 1.5 years after he was killed by the Russians. The deep sadness we felt for the relatives was palpable as she placed her flowers at the memorial.
I kept looking at this picture of a young lady; she looked so vibrant. Later I found her story in a Facebook post, shared by the Rakhiv City Council. 20-year-old Anhelina Martyniuk, a junior sergeant in Ukraine’s Armed Forces, had returned to Ukraine voluntarily at 18, signed a military contract, and served in a frontline reconnaissance unit until her death near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. Anhelina was born in Rakhiv on 8 June 2005. She spent her early childhood in the town’s schools before she and her mother moved abroad. She studied in the Czech Republic and later lived in Switzerland. Anhelina served for two years. She became a junior sergeant and was appointed chief sergeant-commander of a reconnaissance unit in the 155th Mechanized Battalion—a demanding combat role. Just eight days before her death, she was married. On 26 July, during a combat operation near Pokrovsk, she was killed. Anhelina’s story is not just one of loss. It’s one of the choices—of returning to a country at war, taking up a weapon, and accepting the consequences. She did not drift into military service. She stepped toward it, eyes open. Eternal Memory!
It's only one small city of Ukraine, losing so many of its own...Video filmed in Rakhiv city by Zsuzsanna Bozo
Looking Ahead
The transformation of the Rakhiv district hospital is a clear example of how targeted support and local engagement can make a difference. While challenges remain, especially with infrastructure like the elevator, the progress in the outpatient department offers hope for better healthcare delivery for injured soldiers and anyone needing rehabilitation.
Our next steps include finalizing the equipment installation in January 2026 and ensuring staff training to maximize the new resources. This visit reinforced the value of listening to local needs and responding with practical solutions. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these changes on patients’ lives and sharing updates as the project advances. The new OUTPATIENT wing should be open in late January 2026. We will be back to see it fully ready.
If you want to support healthcare improvements in Rakhiv or learn more about our work, please stay connected for future updates.
How can you help?
If you are in the United States, don't hesitate to get in touch with Alex Davern, who will be coordinating the funds donated to this purpose: alexdavern@gmail.com
If you are in Hungary or you have a smaller contribution to make, please contact Zsuzsanna Bozo, in Hungary. Send a message here: directaidforukrainecharity@gmail.com
Further projects you can contribute to :
We are in the process of supporting a kindergarten hit by a Russian missile in the city of Kharkiv.
We hope to continue to furnish new rehabilitation wings for injured soldiers in the region of Trankarpattia, in Ukraine. Your support goes a long way by directly sending help to where it's needed. Subscribe to our news, so you don't miss it!