The full cost of treatment is paid by the National Health Service of Ukraine, regardless of the place of registration or status of the patient. Therefore, internally displaced persons can count on medical care in any corner of the country.
Stroke is an acute disruption of cerebral circulation, which causes damage to brain tissue. Stroke usually occurs suddenly. People at risk include those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol imbalances, obesity, etc. Smoking is also a risk factor - it doubles the risk of ischemic stroke and increases the likelihood of hemorrhagic stroke by 4 times.3
Unfortunately, many people don't know the signs of a stroke. You can remember them by the abbreviation BRAIN:
– Speech. Pronunciation disorders, confusion of words.
– Face. Sudden facial asymmetry or crooked smile.
– Dizziness. Loss of balance, coordination when walking, sharp headache (as if from a blow).
– Eyes. Sudden deterioration of vision, double vision.
– Limbs. Sudden weakness, numbness, more often on one side. No strength to raise your arms.
So, to recognize a stroke, ask the person to smile, say a simple sentence, raise one or both hands; stick out their tongue (with a stroke, the tongue may be crooked or turned). A problem with performing even one of the tasks can be a sign of a stroke. Do not delay, call 103 immediately. Inform emergency medical specialists about the person's characteristic signs.
The emergency medical team will deliver a patient with suspected acute cerebral stroke not just to the nearest medical facility, but to one that has a contract with the National Health Service for stroke treatment.
When providing emergency medical care, the place of registration and residence is irrelevant. Demanding an electronic referral, payment of charitable contributions, or separate examinations from an internally displaced person who has been urgently admitted to a hospital is unlawful.
What free stroke treatment services does the patient receive:
– Initial examination and assessment of the severity of the condition.
– Conducting neuroimaging in case of suspected acute stroke (no later than 60 minutes from the moment of referral or delivery of a patient with suspected acute stroke).
– Laboratory tests: clinical and biochemical blood tests, coagulation hemostasis, etc.
– All necessary instrumental examinations. In particular, spiral computed tomography (CT) of the brain including CT angiography and/or MRI of the brain including non-contrast MR angiography in a 24-hour mode.
– Thrombolytic therapy including necessary medications for ischemic stroke.
– Endovascular neurointervention.
– Neurosurgical care.
– Dynamic observation of swallowing function.
– Consultation with a speech therapist or speech and language therapist within the first 72 hours after hospitalization.
– Doctor consultations.
– Rehabilitation care in the acute period.
– 24-hour medical supervision and nursing care in a hospital setting.
– Provision of medicines, in particular for thrombolytic therapy, defined by the National List of Essential Medicines and industry standards in the field of healthcare, necessary medical devices and consumables in accordance with industry standards in the field of healthcare and medical and technological documents.
– Timely provision of sedation, anesthesia, and pain relief at all stages of diagnosis and treatment.
– Nutrition in a hospital setting.
More about the list of services is available on the NSZU website nszu.gov.ua, in the section For citizens / Free services in the Medical Guarantees Program 2024 / Priority inpatient services. Or via link.
How do I make sure that the ambulance took the patient to a hospital where they treat a stroke?
1. Call the NSZU contact center 16-77 – the operator will tell you the nearest medical institutions that have an agreement with the NSZU for stroke treatment.
2. using the analytical panel (dashboard) “Concluded contracts for medical care of the population under the medical guarantees program”. Select the region, settlement in the filter field on the left and in the “Service group” — “5 Medical care for acute cerebral stroke”. The map will show the nearest hospitals that diagnose and treat stroke. You can go to the dashboard via link.
What should I do if the hospital asks me to pay for medical services, diagnostics, or medications?
If an internally displaced person is required to purchase medication or pay for services covered by the Medical Guarantees Program, this is a violation of the patient's rights and the terms of the NSZU contract with the medical institution. In this case, you should file a complaint about the violation:
– by calling the NSZU contact center at number 16-77
– fill out an electronic form on the NSZU website: select the “For Citizens” section in the menu at the top, then “Feedback. Here you can leave your questions, comments, suggestions, statements and complaints.” Or go to via link.
The Medical Guarantees Program provides all Ukrainians with the same free list and access to medical services, regardless of their status as an internally displaced person. More information about the free medical services that can be obtained under the Medical Guarantees Program can be found in the electronic manual "Guide to the Medical Guarantees Program for Patients 2024". You can download the manual by link.