For Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
What an internally displaced person needs to know to receive free medical care
Due to the full-scale invasion by Russia, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to become internally displaced persons (IDPs), leaving their homes and temporarily relocating to safer regions of the country. Regardless of place of residence or registration, everyone can receive medical care in full, independent of their registration or location. This right is implemented through the Medical Guarantees Program, which specifically covers the needs of internally displaced persons.
The Medical Guarantees Program includes all major types of medical care:
- Emergency medical care (regardless of whether you have a declaration with a family doctor)
- Primary healthcare
- Specialized medical care
- Palliative care
- Rehabilitation services
- Medical care for children under 16
- Medical care related to pregnancy and childbirth
Additionally, free or partially reimbursed medicines are available under the “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program.
The entry point for free medical services remains a primary care physician: a family doctor, general practitioner, or pediatrician. This doctor may work in a municipal or private facility, or as a private entrepreneur (FOP) under a contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). Patients temporarily living in other settlements in Ukraine and needing medical care should contact the nearest medical facility with a contract with NHSU and sign a declaration with a family doctor.
You do not need to cancel your previous declaration. When signing a new declaration with a chosen doctor, the changes are automatically updated in the electronic healthcare system, and the previous declaration is automatically annulled.
With a declaration, patients gain access to free services including diagnosis and prevention of common diseases, healthy lifestyle consultations, e-referrals to specialists, e-prescriptions for medicines, vaccinations according to the preventive immunization schedule, and documentation such as medical certificates and sick leave certificates.
Important! Internally displaced persons can access the following specialists without a referral: gynecologist, psychiatrist, narcologist, phthisiatrist, pediatrician, and dentist.
How to find a medical facility with an NHSU contract
You can find the nearest medical facility or doctor with a contract with NHSU for specific medical services:
- On the NHSU Dashboard – Electronic Map of Primary Healthcare Facilities
- By calling the NHSU Contact Center at 16–77
Useful resources for IDPs:
- Free rehabilitation for children up to three years old born prematurely or sick
- Free pregnancy management and childbirth care for IDP patients
- How IDPs can access outpatient rehabilitation services
- Medical care available to IDPs in the event of a heart attack
- Medical care guaranteed for IDPs in the event of a stroke
- Where IDPs can seek mental health support
- How an IDP can sign a declaration with a family doctor
The National Health Service of Ukraine regularly publishes information about free services for internally displaced persons. Follow updates on the NHSU website and on the NHSU Facebook page using the hashtag #PMGforIDPs.
The Medical Guarantees Program ensures all Ukrainians have equal access to free medical services, regardless of IDP status. More information about free medical services under the program can be found in the electronic guide “Medical Guarantees Program Guide for Patients 2024”. The guide can be downloaded via the link.