On July 15, 2025, the Sytenko Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine hosted a meeting between members of the NAMS Commission investigating issues raised in the media. The meeting also included the heads of the Institute’s structural units.
The event was also attended by representatives of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), the Kharkiv Regional Council, veteran public organisations, the KRAKEN medical unit, and patients — including military personnel who had received treatment at the Institute.

The meeting began with a moment of silence in honour of those who have fallen in the war.

In his opening remarks, the Head of the Commission and Vice President of the NAMS of Ukraine, Ihor Lurin, stressed the presence of acute and pressing problems in providing medical and rehabilitation care to war veterans.
Ihor Shyshko, head of the municipal institution “Veteran’s Hub: Side by Side” of the Kharkiv Regional Council, outlined the challenges and barriers veterans face when receiving treatment at NAMS institutions.
Viktoria Miliutina, Director of the Northern Interregional Department of the NHSU, presented the peculiarities of funding medical care in accordance with the service packages provided under the Medical Guarantees Programme and responded to several questions from the Institute’s staff.

Representatives of the “Veterans and Patriots of Ukraine of Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskyi District”, the All-Ukrainian Union of SOF Veterans, and the KRAKEN medical unit raised concerns about bureaucratic obstacles, lack of coordination, and insufficient cooperation between NAMS, the Ministry of Health, and veterans’ organisations. This includes the rehabilitation of military personnel and veterans suffering from injuries and illnesses.

The discussion was conducted in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.

Members of the NAMS Commission, war veterans, and representatives of veterans’ organisations acknowledged that despite the current challenges, the management, and staff of the Sytenko Institute continue to provide veterans with free, high-quality medical care. They perform complex and unique surgical interventions on bones and joints and make every effort to restore the health and facilitate the rehabilitation of military personnel and veterans.

All participants agreed on the need for closer cooperation between NAMS leadership, its affiliated institutions, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and veterans’ organisations.