On the eve of Medical Workers' Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with military and civilian medics, presented them with state awards, and conferred honorary titles.
"Every day, you work where the need for help is most important, most critical: stabilization points, hospitals in frontline communities, operating rooms, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, emergency departments. Everywhere in Ukraine – from areas near the front line to every one of our communities – there is the care without which neither civilization nor civilized way of life can exist," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State noted that Ukrainian doctors continue to work despite the risks and threats, as Russian strikes often ignore even the symbols of the medical service. Many medics have lost their lives as a result of Russian aggression while carrying out their duty.
The memory of all fallen medics was honored with a moment of silence.
The Head of State emphasized that Ukrainian healthcare professionals remain an example not only for our nation but for the entire world.
"Thanks to you, our medicine is achieving results that all of us can be proud of – results that are truly needed, and needed not only by our state. This is an experience that will undoubtedly be valuable in our relations with the world after this war," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
The President noted that Ukraine is developing a rehabilitation system that is set to become one of the strongest in Europe, with hundreds of specialized facilities already operating across the country. Ukrainian medics now conduct more than 17,000 therapy sessions every day – six times as many as at the beginning of the war.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine is developing a modern mental health system and expanding its transplant program.
"Since the start of this war, our medical teams of Ukrainian professionals have performed nearly 2,500 transplants. These are not just statistics – it's all about our people who have been given a chance to live, a chance at life. I thank everyone making this highly advanced care accessible right here in Ukraine, even under these extraordinarily difficult conditions of war," the Head of State said.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, teams of medics evacuating the wounded from different sectors of the front have saved more than 80,000 lives.
"Every Ukrainian healthcare professional deserves decent working conditions: reliable support, safe workplaces, modern equipment, team backing, and the unwavering gratitude of our people. The state is doing – and will continue to do – everything necessary for this," the Head of State noted.
The President presented the Order of State to the Hero of Ukraine, Director General of the I. I. Mechnikov Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Sergii Ryzhenko. He has worked in healthcare since 1985 and has served as Chief Physician of the Mechnikov Hospital since 2011. Under his leadership, the hospital has been providing treatment to Ukrainian defenders with the most severe injuries since the spring of 2014. Since then, its medical teams have saved more than 40,000 wounded.
The Head of State also presented the Order of Merit, III class, posthumously, to the family of Serhii Dmytriiev, a physician at the Kherson Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital. After the liberation of Kherson, he was among the first to return to work, ensuring uninterrupted medical care. In 2025, he personally examined around 1,000 patients and provided outpatient care to 300 people. On July 2 this year, while at his workplace, Serhii Dmytriiev sustained fatal injuries in an enemy attack.
The President also presented the Order "For Courage," III class, posthumously, to the family of Khrystyna Slavska, a paramedic with the Seredyna-Buda Emergency Medical Station of the Sumy Regional Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine. On February 21 this year, Russians attacked an ambulance transporting wounded patients with a strike drone. The 25-year-old paramedic was killed at the scene, while her colleague suffered severe injuries and burns. Later that same day, Khrystyna Slavska's husband, a police officer, was also killed.
The Head of State also honored medics with the Orders of Merit, III class, "For Courage," III class, of Princess Olga, III class, medals "For Military Service to Ukraine" and "For Saved Life." Volodymyr Zelenskyy also conferred the honorary titles Merited Doctor of Ukraine and Merited Healthcare Worker of Ukraine.
