Way to Health

Way to Health in Dnipro, Ukraine
Five years since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Way to Health looks back on its foundation on August 1, 2022 as a rehabilitation clinic in Dnipro in response to the exponential need for psychosocial support and physical rehabilitation of war-injured populations. AMALNA partners with Way to Health to serve families who suffer from multiple losses – the loss of loved ones, homes and property, and limbs and physical mobility. Its approach to physical and psychological rehabilitation is community-based, promoting healing and recovery through social support and cohesion. The Way to Health Medical Center is duly registered and recognised by Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and offers the following services:

1. Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and pain management: Dealing with pain associated with amputation, burn injuries, explosion injuries, and phantom pain caused by psychological trauma.  The clinic offers a pioneering approach to pain management by combining physical and psychological healing using the latest technology developed by tech and medical volunteers. AMALNA assists Way to Health by participating in the development of its innovative program, the use of Virtual Reality to augment physical rehabilitation. AMALNA donated the equipment necessary to implement the software in the clinic. Within 6 months of implementation, the VR program has contributed immensely to the successful rehabilitation of hundreds of patients.

2. Child Safety Spaces Support: As part of its child protection focus, AMALNA initiated a community-based PSS program by training local counselors and helping acquire grants from international donors. AMALNA helps build Child Friendly Spaces in the communities, such as in churches, shelters, collective housing, and villages, to ensure that children feel a sense of safety and security despite the war, and that their psychosocial needs are met through a well-protected childhood.

3. Psychosocial Support: Individual and family counseling with a team of psychologists and counselors. Services include bereavement counseling, psychological first aid/listening posts, trauma healing, and dealing with PTSD. We also help those suffering from mental issues resulting from traumatic brain injuries, such as those resulting from explosions. A psychologist provides mental health support at the Way to Health Medical Center.

4. Emergency medical and food distribution services in frontline communities: AMALNA facilitated the donation of a fully equipped ambulance from the Tres Valle Paramedic Association of Switzerland. With these ambulance, AMALNA is able to provide much-needed aid in underserved communities, particularly villages in newly liberated areas and near the frontline. The frontline teams are comprised of volunteer doctors, medics, and humanitarians.

Also visit Way to Health’s support partner in the Netherlands: https://www.awarmheartfoundation.org/en/home/

Solidarity with Ukraine

Ukrainians are fighting for their country and their freedom. AMALNA supports the physical and psychological rehabilitation of injured people, provides emergency food and medical aid, and seeks justice for all Ukrainians affected by war and violence.

In 2023, AMALNA took over SEI’s efforts and led medical missions in the frontline areas of Dnipro, Kramatorsk, and Slovyansk. AMALNA facilitated an ambulance donation by paramedics from Switzerland, paving the way for volunteers to conduct emergency medical mission in hard-to-reach communities.

In 2022, Strategic Edge International (SEI), a Swiss social enterprise, conducted medical missions, hostile environment first aid training, and community self-help projects from Lviv in the west to Bakhmut in the east.