Defense Ministry pushes digital tools and specialist focus amid mobilization reform

The ministry is gradually changing the military medical examination process through digitization and optimized rules for medical checkups, according to its written response to hromadske.

“Active work is underway to analyze errors and misunderstandings that occurred during medical examinations by military medical commissions at territorial recruitment centers and social protection agencies, and to develop a systemic solution that will correct the mistakes made and prevent new ones in the future,” the Defense Ministry said.

Military medical commissions determine only fitness for service. In the absence of complaints or medical documents about illnesses, they may limit themselves to basic tests and examinations. If a commission's conclusion does not reflect a person's actual health, it can be appealed through a regional or central commission before trial or in court.

The Armed Forces Medical Forces do not track how often such appeals succeed. To improve the quality of examinations, authorities conduct checks and have created oversight groups.

In 2025, 318 inspections of the activities of the military medical examinations at the territorial recruitment centers were conducted. Based on the results of the work carried out, in particular, based on the results of the aforementioned inspections, more than 130 heads of the military medical examinations were reappointed (changed).Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The ministry also outlined steps to raise the quality of the mobilization pool and improve selection, medical oversight and training. These include:

• Better data sharing between the Oberih system, National Police and State Border Guard Service databases for instant checks at checkpoints.
• Full operation of the electronic cabinet in the Reserve+ app, allowing updates to contact details and residence without visiting a recruitment center.
• Giving military medical commission doctors access to patients' digital medical histories from civilian health facilities.
• Transitioning from mass notifications to the principle of professional matching, so recruitment centers prioritize specialists such as drivers, signalers, medics and IT experts based on current needs of defense units.
• Integrating registries to show a conscript's civilian profession, education and actual health status in the Oberih system.
• Developing clear coordination between recruitment centers, police and military command bodies.

“This is necessary to implement a system of targeted notifications for conscripts, which will increase the effectiveness of mobilization measures and reduce social tension,” the Defense Ministry said.

hromadske has sent a follow-up request for details on what the shift from mass notifications to professional matching will look like in practice and whether it represents a fundamental change to mobilization.