On June 12, 2025, the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 397/2025 came into force, which changes the rules for military service for persons with medical, pharmaceutical, and rehabilitation education. From now on, such specialists cannot be appointed to non-core positions in the Armed Forces of Ukraine - only upon voluntary consent.
This was reported by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
According to the new decree, mobilized citizens and active military personnel who have the appropriate special education may be appointed exclusively to positions that involve the provision of medical, pharmaceutical, or rehabilitation care.
This applies to:
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specialist doctors (with a master's degree and certificate);
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specialist pharmacists;
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specialists in the specialties “Technologies of medical diagnostics and treatment” (specialty “Prosthetics-orthotics”), “Therapy and rehabilitation”, “Biomedical engineering”;
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persons with postgraduate education in the areas of “Occupational Therapy”, “Physical Therapy”, “Prosthetics-Orthosizing”, “Speech and Speech Therapy”.
It is also prohibited to appoint such citizens to positions that require a lower level of qualifications than the one they possess.
The Decree also expands the opportunities for healthcare professionals. Now, not only doctors, but also pharmacists can be appointed to officer positions in the medical service. If they have not previously undergone appropriate military training, it will be organized.
The list of specialties that are eligible for officer appointments in the field of rehabilitation has also been updated. All those who meet the qualification requirements will be able to undergo a military training course.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that these changes are not only social, but also practical in nature - specialists should work where they are most effective.
"Ukrainian doctors and rehabilitation specialists are in great demand at the front, but their appointment to casual positions was widespread. This decree returns logic to the army's personnel policy," the Ministry of Health noted.
