Montecatone‘s skills at the service of Ukraine. The Imola institute is the protagonist of an important collaboration with the Soleterre Foundation, the city clinical hospital of Dnipro and the first territorial medical union of Lviv to strengthen the capacity of the hospitals operating in the country in the field of rehabilitation. The agreement, sanctioned by a memorandum of understanding, is part of a project financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The Imola Institute, recognized internationally for its excellence in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries or with serious acquired brain injuries, has made facilities and specialized personnel available for the multidisciplinary training of ten Ukrainian colleagues from the hospitals of Lviv and Dnipro, welcomed to Montecatone in recent days.
The group – made up of two doctors, a psychologist, three occupational therapists and four physiotherapists, all very young – was accompanied by the health specialist for the Milanese NGO Soleterre, Dario Mariani, and the project manager of the Ukrainian NGO Zaporuka, Nataliia Tatarenko. The training program also included the reception of the delegation in the Municipality, visited with the mayor Marco Panieri and the visit to the Autodromo.
Great satisfaction of the participants for the quality of the skills observed and put into practice in the department. Particular gratitude was expressed by the Ukrainian team for their willingness both to share the latest scientific news and the methods that can be concretely useful to traumatized people even where there is no possibility of using sophisticated tools.
The coordinator of the rehabilitation activities of the Lviv hospital, Oleg Bilianskyi, highlighted that “the level of the internship went beyond the highest expectations”, giving concrete organizational ideas useful for the opening of the new ‘Unbroken’ spinal unit which took place on the 4th November and hoping to be able to set up further comparisons, also involving the nursing staff; Tatarenko thanked the extreme flexibility with which the program was adapted day by day to meet the requests and curiosities expressed by the young trainees. Finally, for the group of Italian operators, sharing their knowledge with their Ukrainian colleagues was a precious opportunity both humanly and professionally.
“The synergy between Soleterre, Montecatone and the Ukrainian hospitals has created a training program which is felt by the rehabilitation teams operating in Ukraine as fundamental to strengthen their skills and also respond to the new needs that arose after the start of the invasion , in February 2022 – underlines Mariani –. The professionals who participated in the raining will bring their new knowledge to their colleagues, also in other hospitals in the country”.
The extraordinary commissioner of Montecatone, Mario Tubertini, was also satisfied with the work carried out. “Our commitment – he explains – was aimed at providing a concrete contribution to improve the response and treatment capabilities of emergencies in Ukrainian hospital facilities; in this commitment we also involved colleagues from the Vigorso prosthesis centre, unfortunately still closed due to the damage created by the flood. It will be a privilege for us to be able to continue this collaboration.”
**Given the specific challenges faced by Ukrainian hospitals in rehabilitation, how does the Montecatone Institute’s training program prioritize the transfer of knowledge and skills most relevant to the immediate needs of Ukrainian patients?**
## World Today News: Interview on Montecatone’s Rehabilitation Collaboration with Ukraine
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the impactful collaboration between the Imola-based Montecatone Institute and Ukrainian hospitals through a training program aimed at strengthening rehabilitation capabilities. We are joined by two distinguished guests: [**Guest 1 Name**, Role, Affiliation] and [**Guest 2 Name**, Role, Affiliation].
**Section 1: The Need for Rehabilitation Training in Ukraine**
* **Interviewer:** The article highlights the urgent need for strengthened rehabilitation services in Ukraine following the conflict. Could you both elaborate on the specific challenges faced by Ukrainian hospitals in this domain, particularly concerning spinal cord injuries and acquired brain injuries?
* **Interviewer:** How has the invasion impacted the existing rehabilitation infrastructure and access to specialized care for patients in Ukraine?
**Section 2:
The Montecatone-Soleterre Collaboration**
* **Interviewer:** This collaboration seems remarkably timely and significant. What motivated the Montecatone Institute and the Soleterre Foundation to undertake this initiative in support of Ukrainian healthcare professionals?
* **Interviewer:** [Guest 1 Name], as coordinator for a leading Italian rehabilitation facility, could you share your impressions of the knowledge exchange and training program offered to the Ukrainian team?
**Section 3: Impact and Future Prospects**
* **Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], from your perspective, how will the knowledge and skills acquired by the Ukrainian team translate into tangible improvements in patient care back in Ukraine?
* **Interviewer:** The Ukrainian team has expressed interest in ongoing collaborations. What are the possibilities for future exchanges and joint projects between Montecatone and Ukrainian healthcare institutions?
* **Interviewer:** We’ve seen the dedication and collaboration of both Italian and Ukrainian teams. What broader message of international solidarity and healthcare cooperation does this project convey?
**Section 4: Looking Ahead**
* **Interviewer:** [Guest 1 Name], beyond this initial training program, what steps can be taken to ensure the sustained development of rehabilitation services in Ukraine, even amidst ongoing challenges?
* **Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], based on the success of this cooperation, what are your hopes and aspirations for the future of rehabilitation medicine in Ukraine?
**Closing:**
Thank you both for sharing your insights and expertise on this crucial topic. The collaboration between Montecatone, Soleterre, and Ukrainian hospitals exemplifies the power of international partnerships in addressing critical healthcare needs. We hope that this project will serve as a beacon of hope and healing for Ukraine and beyond.
**Note:** This interview framework is designed to be engaging and thought-provoking. Tailor the specific questions based on the expertise of your guests and the key takeaways from the article.
