The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Össur donate prosthetics to Ukraine

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Icelandic health technology company Össur, will be financing a pilot project on prosthetic solutions for twenty individuals receiving care at the rehabilitation hospital in Dnipro, located in eastern Ukraine. 

Due to the extensive injuries sustained by both Ukrainian soldiers and civilians because of Russia's brutal invasion, there is an urgent need for more prosthetic devices in Ukraine. Reflecting this, earlier this year, the Government of Ukraine requested assistance from the Government of Iceland and Össur to finance the purchase of prosthetic devices for the rehabilitation hospital in Dnipro. These devices are intended for those who have lost limbs, either below or above the knee

"Iceland's support for Ukraine is multifaceted. Tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers have lost limbs and been permanently maimed in Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. We are fortunate to have one of the world's leading companies in prosthetics based here in Iceland, and through this collaboration, we aim to alleviate the suffering of these individuals and give them hope for a better future," says Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Government of Iceland will be contributing 65 thousand euros (approximately 10 million ISK) to the pilot project. Specialists trained at Össur and employed at the rehabilitation hospital in Dnipro will provide clinical services. Össur will also offer advice and assistance throughout the project. This is a pilot project conducted close to the front lines, and if successful, it could lead to more extensive cooperation in the future. 

"Össur is in a unique position to provide humanitarian aid in the form of prosthetics to the victims of the war in Ukraine, and we have done so in various ways over the years. Our cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs strengthens us even further in this important task," says Sveinn Sölvason, President and CEO of Össur.

Össur has previously received funding from the Ministry for projects in Ukraine. In the summer of 2022, the company received a grant of 200,000 euros from the Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Fund to work with Ukrainian experts in providing prosthetics to many who have lost limbs in the war. This project met an urgent need and showed promising results, reflected in the Ukrainian government's interest in continued cooperation.