11.02.2025 | People
The hospital and wastewater pumping stations in Nemishaeve have been repaired and modernised through EU funded programmes managed by Nefco as part of the ongoing rebuilding activities in Ukraine.
Читати історію українською мовою
- The Primary Healthcare Centre has been rehabilitated and two wastewater pumping stations in the Nemishaeve community has been repaired
- The repairs and modernisations are expected to improve the energy efficiency of the community’s municipal infrastructure and enhance the quality of essential services for residents.
- Implementation of the projects have been funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco
The Nemishaeve community is a territorial unit located in the Kyiv region in Ukraine, consisting of two settlements and two villages, with its administrative centre in Nemishaeve. It is home to more than 15,000 residents. The Russian occupation during March and April of 2022 inflicted severe damage on Nemishaeve, leaving municipal infrastructure in ruins and many residents traumatised by the bombings and destruction caused by Russian forces. Alongside these challenges, the ongoing war has brought a rising demand for rehabilitation support for soldiers returning from the frontlines with disabilities. This situation has created an urgent demand for action to revitalise the community, restore essential services, and improve the overall well-being of its population.
Improved healthcare services facilitate the community’s well-being
The Primary Healthcare Centre of the Nemishaeve Settlement Council has underwent comprehensive modernisation. The project introduced significant upgrades, including insulating the building envelope, replacing the roof and windows, and installing a 10-kW rooftop photovoltaic system with battery storage, along with a full upgrade of the heating system. Further improvements included updates to the ventilation and electricity systems, the installation of new lighting, and the refurbishment of the basement. Accessibility features were added to accommodate wheelchair users and individuals with disabilities, and a fire alarm system was installed to enhance safety. The project was implemented under the “Housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Rehabilitation of Liberated Cities in Ukraine” programme, funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco.
The transformation is evident to both medical staff and patients. “Before the project, the facility was a gloomy, grey building that was falling apart, and no one cared,” shares Yana Horai, Chief of Medicine, Acting Director at the Primary Healthcare Centre of the Nemishaeve Settlement Council. “Our old heating system was outdated and broke down often, requiring constant repairs, and the staff had to wear fur coats indoors just to stay warm. There was even a period when we had no heating at all. The roof was another critical issue: it used to leak constantly, causing dampness and even fungus, which we were always battling. But now, thanks to this project, the building is warm and bright. It is uplifting just to look at it—a beautiful structure standing out amidst the surrounding grey.”
Her views are echoed by Nataliia Khvostenko, family doctor and Acting Medical Director. “For the first time in years, the hospital is truly warm. The exterior of the building is also stunning. Walking outside, it is a pleasure to look at, and inside, the lighting is incredible. When people come in, they always comment on how nice the hospital is and how beautiful everything looks.”
“These changes have also had a significant impact on my work and interaction with patients,” Nataliia continues. “I genuinely want to come to work now. Patients have responded positively as well. They feel more comfortable here. It is a better environment when you are surrounded by warmth, kindness, and beauty.”
Roman, a hospital visitor, also shares positive impressions of the reconstruction. “The transformation is visible. The hospital used to be old and neglected. Now, it is truly nice to come here, and it is much warmer indoors. The doctors are also noticeably kinder and more attentive now, because they feel more comfortable working here.”
Another visitor, Oleh, adds, “I have been using the services of this hospital for a very long time—perhaps 25, maybe even 30 years. Previously, the hospital was in a deplorable state, worsened by damages during the Russian occupation. Now, after the reconstruction, the changes are undeniable. On the outside, it looks incredible, and I hope the positive changes extend to the inside as well. The hospital is critical for our community, especially now, as the number of veterans who need care steadily increases. I am optimistic that it will continue to improve, with warmer spaces, new equipment, and, hopefully, a larger staff with more specialists.”
This profound impact on the community is reflected in measurable data. According to Liudmyla Synetska, Deputy of the Nemishaeve Settlement Council and project coordinator, “The revitalised hospital now serves a growing number of patients, with over 1,600 new declarations with family doctors signed. Comprehensive thermal modernisation has reduced energy and fuel consumption by 20%, saving the municipal budget some EUR 11,500 annually. These savings can now be reinvested in medical equipment or services, improving healthcare quality for patients. Plans are also underway to set up a rehabilitation facility for both military personnel and civilians in the hospital, providing much-needed mental and physical healthcare services in an eco-friendly environment.”
Introducing green wastewater treatment
Another direction of energy-efficient modernisation in Nemishaeve is critical infrastructure repairs. Through the EU-funded and Nefco-managed Critical Infrastructure Programme, the repair of two wastewater pumping stations has been executed. An additional critical infrastructure project in the community—the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant—is ongoing and set to be completed during 2025.
Before the project, the wastewater pumping stations were in dire condition, frequently flooded and disrupted by power supply issues. Now, equipped with alternative power sources, including diesel generators and solar power stations, they are able to operate continuously, even during electricity outages.
“Unlike the old stations, the new ones have systems in place to prevent breakdowns, even if the pumps remain submerged in water during power failures,” explains Andrii Domnik, Director of “Mykulychi” Municipal Enterprise. “They can also continue filling the tank in such situations, ensuring the system remains functional.”
The upgraded pumping stations can now process up to 1,250 cubic meters of wastewater daily. This expansion meets the community’s current needs and will support future growth, including the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensuring reliable wastewater management for the next century. Additionally, they will become a part of a larger system, including reconstructed pressure collectors that will transport wastewater to the new wastewater treatment plant. This system will prevent untreated wastewater from polluting rivers and flooding sludge beds—a problem that previously arose due to the absence of wastewater treatment facilities in the community.
The improvements of wastewater treatment processes will also directly benefit the local population. “On a social level, the project will eliminate the pervasive smell caused by untreated wastewater, greatly enhancing the quality of life for residents,” notes Viktor Zborovskyi, Deputy Director of KSM Group and Project Manager. “It will also have a notable economic impact, as many families currently rely on expensive cesspool pumping. The new system will include a dedicated pumping station to process wastewater from the cesspools, ensuring it is treated efficiently and discharged as clean water.”
Scaling up recovery activities
The Nemishaeve authorities hope that the transformation of the community can be a role model for broader efforts to rebuild Ukraine. “I recently returned from the east, visiting cities like Kostiantynivka, Lyman, Izium, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk, which continue to suffer merciless destruction from the Russian Federation,” shares Petro Perevoznyk, Nemishaeve Community Head. “Yet, even in these places, reconstruction is underway. Roads, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure are being rebuilt because they are the backbone of recovery. Our community’s projects serve as pilots that can be scaled up across the country. We owe tremendous gratitude to our European partners, who have stood by us from the very first day of the full-scale war. Together, we move towards victory.”
The achievements in Nemishaeve show just how powerful strategic investments can be—improving energy efficiency, strengthening healthcare, and rebuilding critical infrastructure to transform communities. It’s about building resilience and creating a better future for everyone,” says Jocelin Cornet, Head of the Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure, and Environment Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “By working closely with partners like Nefco and local communities, the European Union stands firmly with Ukraine in its recovery and rebuilding efforts.”
“The results of these implemented projects have been encouraging, with the community demonstrating active participation and swift execution,” comments Henrik Toremark, Senior Programme Manager, at Nefco. “The modernisation of Nemishaeve’s critical infrastructure services not only improves the quality of life for its residents, but also serves as a model for green transition, which can be scaled across the country. Nefco continues to build a foundation for long-term resilience and green recovery in Ukraine.”
For further information, please contact:
Henrik Toremark, Senior Programme Manager, Nefco
henrik.toremark@nefco.int, +358 504753090
Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser, Nefco
ronny.nilsson@nefco.int, +358 10 618 06 42
Tetiana Vehka, Project Administrator, Nefco
T.Vekha@nefco.org.ua
+380675198034