Legal Assistance

Legal assistance for patients with MS covers various areas in order to protect the fundamental rights of patients and their loved ones. Key areas include:

Access to treatment and diagnosis. Patients have the right to timely and high-quality medical care, from initial diagnosis to receiving the necessary medication and therapy. If certain medical services or medications are guaranteed by the state, no patient should be unjustifiably deprived of them.

Obtaining disability status and social guarantees. Multiple sclerosis often leads to partial or complete loss of working capacity. Legal assistance is aimed at helping to obtain disability status (through the Medical and Social Expert Commission, MSEC) and ensuring access to all appropriate benefits. This includes disability pension, financial assistance, rehabilitation aids, care assistance, and other social benefits.

The right to education and work without discrimination. People with MS are mostly young and able-bodied, and they have equal rights to education (school, higher, vocational) and work. The right of such patients to continue their education or work, taking into account their needs, is legally protected. For example, discrimination on the basis of health status is prohibited—an employer or educational institution does not have the right to refuse a person solely because of their diagnosis. If necessary, the employer must provide appropriate working conditions (adapted workplace, flexible schedule, etc.).

Mechanisms for protecting patients' rights in Ukraine

 

Ukrainian legislation provides several tools to protect the rights of patients with MS. Patients or their relatives can take the following actions in case of violation of rights:

Write a letter to the institution where the violation occurred. This is the first step: file a complaint or statement with the management of the institution. For example, if a hospital refuses to provide proper treatment or medication, contact the chief physician or hospital administration with an official statement. In case of problems with establishing disability, write a statement to the MSEC that made the decision, requesting a review of the conclusion.

Appeal to higher authorities or regulatory bodies. If the problem is not resolved locally, the complaint can be sent to the authorities responsible for that institution or area. For example, in the field of healthcare, you can contact your local health department/administration or the Ministry of Health of Ukraine directly. In addition, if the issue concerns the refusal of free treatment or services, it is worth filing a complaint with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) – the body that oversees the implementation of the medical guarantees program. The NHSU has a hotline (16-77) and online forms for complaints, and reviews patient complaints within 30 days.

Appeals to specialized human rights bodies. If human rights are violated more broadly, you can appeal to the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) or specialized bodies. 

For example, in the case of discrimination at work due to a diagnosis, you can complain to the State Labor Service. These authorities are authorized to verify the facts of the violation and demand that they be remedied.

Legal protection of your rights. Every citizen has the right to go to court if administrative complaints have not been successful or if the situation requires an official decision. Court proceedings may take longer, but sometimes this is the only way to enforce the law—for example, to appeal the MSEC's refusal to establish disability or to obtain compensation for violation of rights. In court, you will need evidence of violations and, preferably, the support of a lawyer.

It is important not to delay in protecting your rights. The Law “On Citizens' Appeals” provides for clear deadlines for the consideration of complaints by state bodies (usually up to 1 month). Also, some decisions can only be appealed within a specified time. For example, the MSEC's decision on disability must be appealed within one month of receiving the conclusion. Therefore, act in a timely manner and record all facts of violations (collect documents, certificates, obtain written refusals, etc.).

Official appeals can solve the problem
 

Do not be afraid to defend your rights — often a well-written official complaint or appeal helps to resolve the situation peacefully and fairly quickly. For example:

If a patient is unjustifiably denied vital medication, it is worth writing to the hospital director or local health authority. As practice shows, after an official complaint, the hospital often revises its decision and provides the patient with the necessary medications.

If the MSEC refuses to establish disability or assigns the wrong group, the patient has the right to appeal this decision. First, they should submit an application for a re-examination to the same or a higher MSEC commission, and if they disagree with the re-examination decision, they should appeal to the central MSEC of the Ministry of Health or to the court. Often, a fair conclusion can be reached at the re-examination stage.

If a person faces prejudice or discrimination because of their diagnosis (for example, refusal to hire, expulsion from an educational institution, or other oppression), it is important not to remain silent. A written complaint to the management of the institution or a higher authority (e.g., the central office of the company, the Ministry of Education, or the ombudsman) will create an official precedent. Such appeals force the responsible authorities to conduct an investigation and often lead to the elimination of violations (those responsible may be obliged to hire the person, reinstate them in their studies, etc.).

As the examples show, a formal tone and legal mechanisms work: when a violation is documented, responses must be provided within a set time frame, and those responsible are forced to respond. The main thing is to clearly describe the problem, refer to your rights and demands, and attach the necessary evidence (medical certificates, written refusals, etc.).

Free legal aid – support at your fingertips

Ukraine has an extensive system of free legal aid. This means that you can get legal advice or even help from a lawyer for free if you meet certain criteria (for example, if you have a low income or belong to a vulnerable group, such as people with disabilities). It is very easy to take advantage of this:

Call the single number for the free legal aid system: 0 800 213 103 (calls within Ukraine are free). Lawyers are on duty on this line to listen to your problem and advise you on the first steps to take.

Go to the nearest Legal Aid Center or Office. These centers are located in all regions; specialists receive citizens, provide consultations, and help prepare documents. You can find the address of the nearest office through the reference platform or on the official website legalaid.gov.ua, as well as by calling the hotline.
 

Get secondary legal aid. If your case requires representation in court or the preparation of procedural documents, and you meet the criteria (for example, you are a person with a disability and a low income), the state will appoint a lawyer for you free of charge. They will defend your interests in a legally competent manner.