Will people with disabilities end up at the front: the Ministry of Health explained
2 January 2025 16:59
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has denied fake reports about the alleged mobilization of people with disabilities from January 1, which were spread by some media and Telegram channels. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to official information from the Ministry of Health.
The ministry explained that all people with disability status will continue to receive benefits, services, assistance and deferral from mobilization based on the conclusion of the MSEC for the duration of its validity.
“The information that all men with disabilities aged 25-60 must undergo a re-examination to determine their disability is not true. This category of people will be re-examined only if they were supposed to undergo it in 2022-2024 but could not for valid reasons and in accordance with the exceptions in the legislation for the period of martial law,” the statement said.
The relevant ministry emphasized that both the MSEC and the expert teams of practitioners who replaced them from January 1, 2025, establish or cancel disability solely on the basis of the grounds and criteria specified in the legislation.
Who actually needs to undergo re-examination in the new assessment system and when
The following people can/have to undergo re-examination
- all those who have limitations in daily functioning, i.e., legal grounds for disability status, will be assessed by an expert team of medical practitioners within the prescribed time frame;
- everyone who has limitations in daily functioning, i.e., legal grounds for disability status, will be assessed by an expert team of medical practitioners within the prescribed time frame;
- if a person had to undergo a second examination during 2022-2024 but could not pass it for valid reasons and in accordance with the exceptions provided for in the legislation for the period of martial law, he or she will have to undergo it again:
- men aged 25-60 with disability group 2 or 3 – by November 1, 2025;
- all other patients (except for the cases listed below) – by April 1, 2026;
- people who are in the territories where military operations are underway or in the temporarily occupied territories;
- patients with severe impairments of body functions (missing a limb or one of the paired organs, unable to hear or see, or suffering from cancer or mental illness);
- active servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations – for them, the disability status remains valid for the period of military service and for 60 days from the date of discharge from service.
