Regenerative Medicine in Kiev

Regenerative medicine is a fairly new field of study that focuses on developing and applying new treatments to heal organs and tissues, as well as restore function due to disease, injuries, defects, or ageing by stimulating the body’s own regenerative capabilities. The human body has the natural ability to heal itself in many ways. For example, the liver can grow back to its original size after transplantation and our skin can repair itself after a cut. Regenerative medicine holds the promise of using this naturally occurring ability for a wide range of conditions. 

Regenerative medicine encompasses a broad range of scientific disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and immunology. It goes beyond disease management to search for and discover therapies that can support the body in repairing, restoring, and regenerating itself to a state of well-being. The main goal of regenerative medicine is to find a way to cure formerly untreatable diseases and injuries. 

Regenerative medicine can help facilitate healing in numerous conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

• Cancer and blood-related diseases, such as lymphoma, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and neuroblastoma.Musculoskeletal and spine injuries, such as cartilage loss, disc degeneration, mild to moderate osteoarthritis, muscle strain, tendonitis, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
• Nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple system atrophy.
• Cosmetic reasons, such as to improve skin health and anti-ageing.

The following are some of the most common regenerative medicine procedures available today:

• Stem cell therapy
• Bone marrow transplant (stem cell transplant)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Prolotherapy
• Surgeries for cartilage regeneration.

How Long Should I Stay in Kiev?

Your length of stay depends on the type of regenerative procedure you have and your specific condition. For most procedures, such as prolotherapy, stem cell therapy, and PRP, you should be able to leave Kiev on the same day. However, it is still recommended that you stay for at least 3 days before you travel home. This is because, in some cases, your doctor may schedule a follow-up appointment to see how your body is reacting to the treatment. After a bone marrow transplant, you may want to stay in Kiev for at least 4 weeks. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

If you undergo stem cell therapy, PRP, or prolotherapy following an injury or for a disease, you may be recommended to rest for a few days, but these recommendations are more related to the injury/diseases and less to the procedure. For other types of regenerative medicine procedures, such as bone marrow transplants, the recovery time can take weeks and even months. Your doctor will likely give you a specific recovery timeline.

What Aftercare is Required?

Aftercare instructions specifically designed for your conditions will be given to you by your doctor. You must follow all of the instructions to get optimum results and avoid complications. Depending on your injury or disease, you may need to attend lifelong regular checkups. If you cannot travel to Kiev regularly for the checkups, you should be able to do the checkups with your local doctor at home.

What's the Success Rate?

When performed by qualified professionals, regenerative medicines are proven to be safe and effective. Regenerative medicine is still relatively new, so more research is needed. However, the field has made significant progress and has been proven to have high success rates. All kinds of medical procedures carry some potential risks. With regenerative medicine, the risks include infection, nerve injuries, and tissue damage.

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives can be different for everyone, depending on the injury/disease and its extent. For example, those with osteoarthritis may undergo joint replacement surgery as an alternative.

Regenerative Medicine in and around Kiev

About Kiev

Kiev or Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. It is an important educational, cultural, industrial, and scientific center. The city is overflowing with beauty, from religious history, astonishing architecture, vintage cafes, to urban art.

Kiev sees an increasing number of medical tourists each year and the city even hosts an annual medical tourism fair called The Healthcare Travel Expo. The fair gives an opportunity for medical services to present and inform health care. Visitors can get comprehensive information about medical tourism around the world, particularly in Kiev.

The city offers a wide range of medical treatments with almost no waiting list. Affordable treatments that cost significantly less than other European countries are a strong factor in Kiev’s medical tourism. The city also offers experienced doctors, caring staff, as well as world-class clinics and hospitals. One of the best medical facilities in Kiev is Dobro Clinic. Breast Augmentation procedures, dentistry, and laser eye surgery are among the most sought after medical procedures.

Popular Areas in Kiev

Kiev is a magical city. The city is plagued with its history and filled with golden dome churches. It is also known to be a good value. Tourists can dine in restaurants and drink at cocktail bars for a fraction of what they would cost in the West. Kiev is fast becoming a thriving tourist destination.

• Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra, located on a hill overlooking the Dnipro River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its underground caves, spiritual atmosphere, and mummified monks are what make the historical and sacred site famous and intriguing. The monastery’s gold-domed churches will give you a breathtaking view.
• Maidan Nezalezhnosti literally means the Independence Square. It is the most beautiful square in Kiev and the symbol of Ukraine. The square is the country’s meeting point for celebration and is also locals and tourists favorite walking place.
• Saint Sophia's Cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra. The cathedral was built to celebrate Prince Yaroslav’s victory in protecting Kiev. The phenomenal architecture and interior is a masterpiece. Tourists should climb the bell tower for panoramic views of Kiev.
• Andriyivsky Uzviz is filled with remnants of the past, from museums, art galleries, to theatres. Tourist will find an array of vendors selling souvenir, arts, and crafts. Local calls Andriyivsky Uzviz as “the most charming street.” A stroll in the street is a refreshing break from the city.

Weather and Climate in Kiev

Kiev has a humid continental climate.  

• Summers starts from June and lasts until September with the average temperature ranging between 18 – 25 °C with occasional rain showers. Summers are the busiest time as the tourists can experience the parks and sidewalk café to the fullest.
• Autumn has a mild temperature and characterized by significant rainfall. The season is relatively short, starting from September to October.
• Winters can be harsh and long. The average temperature is around 1.8 to -3.5 °C. Some days the temperature drops to -30 °C.
• Spring begins with the melting of snow and ice, usually around late March. The average temperature will increase to 15 - 20 °C. Spring months usually have strong and gusty winds.

Getting Around in Kiev

Located 29km east of Kiev, Boryspil International Airport is the largest airport in the city. The airport serves domestic flights connects the city with Europe and several cities in Asia. Boryspil International Airport is the hub for Ukraine International Airlines and serves budget airlines including Lauda, Ryanair, and Sky Up airlines.

Airport taxis are available for tourists who want to go to the city center. The taxis use meters and are relatively cheap. Some taxis accept payment by credit cards. Buses are a more affordable option to get to the city center; Sky Bus departs from Terminal D and Terminal B. The bus will take tourists from Boryspil International Airport and should cost around 60 UAH or 100 UAH depending on the destination.

Taxis are easily available in Kiev but metered taxis are very rare. Make sure to agree on the fare before getting in. A long journey in Kiev should cost around 70 UAH. Shortstops start from 15 to 20 UAH. Taxis can be ordered by phone, and the prices are usually fixed. Uber and Uklon are available in Kiev.

Trolleybuses, trams, and buses are a nice way to get around Kiev while providing a better view of everyday Ukrainian life. Single tickets can be purchased from the street kiosk; 30-day combo-passes are also available. The Kiev Metro is the least expensive and most reliable mode of transport. There are three metro lines that go through the city center. Maps in metro stations are written in both Ukrainian and English.

Tourist Visas in Kiev

Citizens of the European Union, Canada, the United States, and several other nations are granted visa-free entry and can stay in Kiev for up to 90 days. Other countries nationals (including China, India, and Thailand) need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country. Visa-on-arrival arrangements are available for tourists at major airports and seaports. e-Visa is also available for only 52 specified countries. All visitors need to have a passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from Ukraine.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency of Ukraine is the hryvnia (UAH). 1 USD converts to 28 UAH.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available across the city. Currency exchange points are very common, but withdrawing money from ATMs is the easiest and safest option. Credit Cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in most restaurants and hotels. It is wise to always carry cash since many shops and restaurants still accept cash only. Tipping in Ukraine is common but not necessary.
3. Local Language: Ukrainian is the official language. English is not widely spoken. However, hotel staff and tourist guides will speak some English. Plenty of street signs use both Cyrillic and the Latin alphabets.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Orthodox Christianity is the largest religion in Kiev. There are small groups of Jews, Buddhist, Pagan, and Hindus.
5. Public Holidays: As in the rest of Ukraine, Kiev also celebrates major Orthodox holy days. The city also celebrates its birthday every May and the celebration is called ‘Days of Kiev.’ Maslyana is also celebrated annually but the date changes each year.