Ukrainians on a medical quest

Medical Tourism in Reverse: Why Ukrainians Travel Back Home for Healthcare

Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, over 8 million Ukrainians have left the country. Some have returned, but the movement remains dynamic. According to the Centre for Economic Strategy (CES), about 5 million Ukrainians are currently living in host countries, integrating into new communities, learning languages, finding jobs, and enrolling their children in local schools.

Yet, despite adapting to new lives abroad, many Ukrainians still return home for one specific reason – medical care. Some even plan trips back to Ukraine primarily for healthcare, despite the risks and financial costs of travel.

This phenomenon of "inbound medical tourism" to a country at war is unprecedented. Why is this happening?

"I Don’t Want to Wait"

One of the main driving forces behind this trend is the stark contrast between the healthcare systems of Ukraine and those abroad. Most European healthcare systems with universal coverage ensure access to general practitioners and emergency medical care in life-threatening situations. However, access to anything beyond primary care and urgent specialized treatment remains problematic – unless the patient has private health insurance.

Ukrainians, however, are accustomed to a polyclinic system that provides a wide range of outpatient consultations with specialists, specialized diagnostic procedures, and even minor surgical interventions – all within a single facility, often in a single visit. This is a legacy of the Soviet-era healthcare model that many older Ukrainians remember well.

Since 2017, Ukraine has been undergoing healthcare reform, transitioning to a model where patients enter the system through a general practitioner, similar to many European countries. However, change takes time, and, in the meantime, private medicine in Ukraine has stepped in to offer an alternative for those who resist the new system’s logic.

Private healthcare in Ukraine thrives on speed, accessibility, patient-oriented service, and efficiency. It is not a luxury reserved only for the wealthy – it is widely available to the majority as well. Over three decades of intense competition, private medical facilities have prioritized patient convenience, extended operating hours, and weekend availability, catering to working professionals with busy schedules.

When I tell friends from different countries that, before the war, private clinics in Ukraine routinely operated from 8 AM to 8-9 PM on weekdays and maintained weekend hours, they can hardly believe it. Even now, though slightly reduced, these hours remain largely unchanged.

What truly surprises foreigners is the ability to get a same-day appointment for almost any medical concern – even for complex cases requiring multiple specialist consultations and specialized diagnostics. When I’m in Kyiv, I can call a clinic during the day and by the evening, I will have seen two or three doctors, undergone several diagnostic procedures, including ultrasounds, and received a preliminary diagnosis – all in one facility. And I will even have options to choose from.

Compare this to the common experiences shared in online communities of Ukrainians abroad:

"Can you imagine? They told me I’d have to wait nearly two months for an ENT specialist appointment!"

Is this just a whim? Perhaps in some cases. But in others – like when a colonoscopy is urgently needed but unavailable for months – delays can pose a serious threat to health. This is a systemic issue in many European and North American countries, where long wait times for even urgent medical services are simply part of the system.

While many Ukrainians abroad are grateful for access to free healthcare in their host countries, they also recognize its limitations. And when it comes to their health, they are willing to pay out of pocket for speed and certainty.

Unlike in Ukraine, many foreign healthcare systems present challenges:

• Appointments with specialists for non-urgent cases can take weeks or even months.
• Most medical facilities operate only during standard business hours, with minimal or no weekend availability.
• Private healthcare, as Ukrainians understand it, is often inaccessible or virtually non-existent. In Canada, for example, privately owned medical facilities are almost entirely government-funded, meaning all patients must follow the same "patient journey" rules.
• Private health insurance can shorten wait times for specialists and diagnostics but is not universally available. A significant number of Ukrainians abroad do not have private medical insurance.

For many, returning to Ukraine for medical care is not just about accessing treatment – it’s about speed and availability. And when they do return, they don’t just seek care for urgent issues. Many use their trips home as an opportunity to undergo comprehensive check-ups and preventive screenings, making sure they address all their medical concerns while they can.

Recognizing this demand, Ukrainian private medical institutions now offer tailored packages such as "Complete Preventive Check-Up in Three Days," explicitly targeting Ukrainian medical tourists.

"I Don’t Understand the System"

Frustration with foreign healthcare isn’t always about long wait times or limited access – it’s also about not knowing where to go or how to navigate the system.

We’re not talking about life-threatening emergencies, where the ER is the obvious choice. Instead, imagine a scenario where someone experiences discomfort or symptoms that aren’t urgent but still require attention. They are faced with two options:

1. Take the time to research and figure out how to access care in their host country.
2. Travel back to Ukraine, where they know exactly how things work.

In moments of stress and vulnerability, the second option often wins.

Unlike the accessibility issue, this problem is solvable. Countries like the UK have included enhanced medical system orientation in refugee adaptation programs. But the reality is that most people don’t think about medical logistics until they need care. And by then, they don’t have the time or mental bandwidth to research their options.

For many, the language barrier further complicates things.

"Is it so hard to understand that if a child gets sick, a mother wants to consult a doctor in her native language?"

This sentiment is echoed repeatedly in social media groups for Ukrainians abroad. The ability to speak with a doctor in Ukrainian provides a strong emotional incentive to return home  – especially in serious situations.

This demand has also fueled an informal trend – Ukrainian doctors abroad offering unofficial consultations. Many of these professionals have not yet obtained certification in their host countries, creating risks for both patients and doctors alike.

Online consultations with Ukrainian doctors are another rising trend. Private Ukrainian clinics have made substantial efforts to maintain relationships with patients, offering them stability and support. However, in cases where online consultations are not enough, many patients choose to return home for in-person care.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of "medical tourism home" reflects a deep-rooted demand for accessible, understandable, and high-quality healthcare. It highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of Ukrainian and international healthcare systems alike.

Despite the war, Ukraine’s healthcare system remains astonishingly resilient – functioning thanks to the dedication of its doctors, flexible organization, and the ability to adapt to patient needs, even under extreme circumstances.

Medical mobility among Ukrainians is a mirror reflecting real healthcare needs and patient expectations. It is also a testament to the trust Ukrainians have in their own medical system, even in the most challenging times.

This presents a crucial lesson for Ukrainian healthcare reform: changes must be implemented wisely, preserving what works while addressing inefficiencies. Blindly copying foreign models is not the answer – learning from both successes and failures, integrating Ukraine’s unique healthcare solutions into the global landscape, and ensuring that medical reforms truly serve the people.

Because, ultimately, the goal is not just to survive the challenges of today’s healthcare landscape – it’s to turn those challenges into opportunities.

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