Department of Neurology
MEDICAL AND ADVISORY WORK
The neurological service of Kyiv is a robust component of the specialized care system, represented by a vast network of healthcare facilities that unites state and municipal hospitals, research institutes, and private neurological centers. The service encompasses three key levels: outpatient care, inpatient treatment, and specialized neurorehabilitation. Municipal hospitals operate 11 comprehensive neurological departments and 10 specialized stroke units.
Annually, over 130,000 patients with neurological disorders receive formal medical care in Kyiv. Data from the Public Health Center of Ukraine indicates that in recent years, the incidence of nervous system diseases in the country has increased more than 2.5-fold compared to the pre-war period. This is directly related to prolonged chronic stress and psychological trauma caused by the war. Due to sustained war-related stress, there has been a rapid surge in panic attacks, chronic sleep disorders (insomnia), anxiety disorders, somatoform autonomic dysfunctions, and chronic fatigue syndrome. At the same time, it is highly probable that the actual number of individuals experiencing chronic or episodic neurological disorders in Kyiv is significantly higher.
The vast majority of neurological patients in Kyiv and Ukraine as a whole suffer from cerebrovascular diseases, chronic spinal pain syndromes, and chronic autoimmune disorders. For instance, over 5,500 patients with multiple sclerosis are officially registered with the capital’s Department of Healthcare. The city finances separate targeted drug procurement programs for these individuals. Furthermore, in recent years, due to the general aging of the population, there has been an observed increase in the number of patients with neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases). For example, approximately 4,000 patients are registered in the city with primary Parkinson’s disease, and over 7,000 people are officially diagnosed with epilepsy and epileptic syndromes of various origins. Additionally, around 70,000 individuals with chronic cerebral ischemia are registered in the city.
A major medical and social challenge is the rising number of acute strokes, for which 10,000 to 12,000 patients receive inpatient treatment annually. A comparative study conducted by our Department regarding the quality of care provided in 2016 and 2022–2025 demonstrated that, despite the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, the quality of care for stroke patients in Kyiv has improved significantly. Notably, a larger percentage of patients sought medical attention immediately after the onset of initial stroke symptoms, reflecting better public awareness of this condition. The number of patients hospitalized within the therapeutic window increased by 20.7%, while the number of misdiagnosed cases decreased by 6%. This indicates an enhancement in the educational level and an improvement in the organizational workflow of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Patient management in current realities fully complies with modern healthcare standards.
The Department of Neurology at Bogomolets National Medical University makes a profound scientific and practical contribution to the development of healthcare. The Department’s faculty includes Doctors of Medical Sciences, Professors: M. M. Prokopiv, V. S. Melnyk, L. I. Sokolova; and Associate Professors, Candidates of Medical Sciences: T. I. Illiash, Yu. L. Heletiuk, V. Yu. Krylova, T. A. Dovbonos, H. H. Symonenko, H. S. Trepet, and V. O. Svystilnyk. Additionally, the Department employs Assistants: Candidate of Medical Sciences L. M. Muravska, S. M. Sholomon, K. P. Potapova, and S. S. Mishura.
The Department of Neurology operates across various clinical bases and makes a substantial contribution to medical and consultative work both in the city and throughout Ukraine. The clinical bases of the Department encompass six municipal hospitals:
St. Michael’s Clinical Hospital of Kyiv (Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise);
Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 4 (Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise);
Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 3 (Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise);
Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 6 (Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise), including the Children’s Clinical Hospital;
University Clinic of Bogomolets National Medical University;
Main Medical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (State Institution).
Professor M. M. Prokopiv is responsible for the clinical work of the Department. Supervisors at the respective bases include Prof. L. I. Sokolova, Prof. V. S. Melnyk, Assoc. Prof. Yu. L. Heletiuk, Assoc. Prof. H. H. Symonenko, Assoc. Prof. V. O. Svystilnyk, and Assoc. Prof. V. Yu. Krylova.
The Department’s staff conducts extensive diagnostic, consultative, and therapeutic work at their clinical bases. Professors and associate professors provide consultations for emergency and elective patients admitted to neurological departments, as well as for patients in intensive care units. Furthermore, they participate in clinical case conferences across various hospital departments, medical advisory commissions (MAC), and clinicopathological conferences; they also conduct outpatient appointments by referral and provide consultations at the University Polyclinic. The Department’s assistants supervise patients in the wards and provide both elective and emergency consultations for patients in other hospital departments. Over the current year, the Department’s staff has consulted and treated more than 5,000 patients.
Using equipment belonging to Bogomolets NMU (the Multigon-500 transcranial Doppler, EEG-85, and the Neuro-MVP-4 computerized complex for EMG, EP, ERG, and OAE testing by Neurosoft), examinations were performed on patients undergoing treatment in the neurological departments.
The Department’s staff carries out planned scientific research, conducts a series of international and regional clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of various medications, develops and implements innovations in therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive care, and actively publishes scientific articles.
Professors M. M. Prokopiv, L. I. Sokolova, V. S. Melnyk, and Associate Professors V. O. Svystilnyk and V. Yu. Krylova participate in various Working Groups of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine; Prof. M. M. Prokopiv and Prof. V. S. Melnyk serve as experts in the “Neurology” specialty for the Department of Healthcare of the Kyiv City State Administration. Additionally, Prof. M. M. Prokopiv acts as a consultant for the Main Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, while Assoc. Prof. H. H. Symonenko is an expert at the State Institution “Ukrainian State Research Institute of Medical and Social Problems of Disability of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.”
All department staff members continuously elevate their professional expertise through active participation in continuous professional development (CPD) activities: they have undergone specialized neurological training and internships abroad (Dallas, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts (USA); London, Liverpool (UK); Krems (Austria)), participated in international and All-Ukrainian trainings, professional schools, masterclasses, thematic advanced training courses, and internships, engaged in educational projects, attended lecture courses, and secured grants.
Prof. M. M. Prokopiv, L. I. Sokolova, V. S. Melnyk, V. Yu. Krylova, H. H. Symonenko, V. O. Svystilnyk, T. I. Illiash, Yu. L. Heletiuk, and K. P. Potapova have frequently delivered presentations and published works in the proceedings of international and domestic medical conferences, symposia, and congresses (San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles (USA); Liverpool (UK); Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto (Japan); Berlin (Germany); Madrid (Spain); Toronto, Vancouver (Canada); Milan (Italy)).
Department staff members regularly prepare educational materials for the media, have repeatedly appeared on radio and television to discuss pressing issues in neurology, and have participated in roundtables and press conferences.
