Ukraine has voted to overhaul its outdated healthcare system

In latest news, Ukraine parliament has voted to transform its outdated healthcare model, adopting bill No 6327. The announcement comes as the country is still seeing a significant number of protests surrounding the need for reform within a number of avenues.

At present, the lifespan for Ukrainian citizens is 11 years shorter than any other European country. Over 226 individuals in parliament have subsequently voted to overhaul Ukraine’s healthcare model, which will see it dismantle the way in which healthcare in the country is delivered, and see it become more westernised and patient centric.

Ukraine has long been reported to be operating not only immorally, but also unethically surrounding the delivery of its healthcare. Whilst medical professionals have been known to gain significant revenue from patient payments, they have also been reported to have taken financial bribes, enabling patients to be seen quicker, and in some cases, patients have made illegal payments to underpaid or unqualified doctors.

The move will also give patients increased independence and choice surrounding their healthcare. If an e-healthcare system is adopted throughout the delivery of its services, patients will be able to choose their doctor, who will then receive payments surrounding patient treatment by the health ministry, making the process fair, ethical and transparent.

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“Doctors will be paid enough to support their families instead of getting by on whatever the bureaucracies and hospitals gave them,” commented Acting Health Minister Dr. Ulana Suprun.

“There were suitcases full of cash coming into the Ministry of Health for people to get medical licenses or procurement contracts,” she added. “Tenders for equipment and pharmaceuticals were rigged so that only one importer and one manufacturer would win.”

The overhaul will consequently support he delivery of savings across the board, which will then be placed back in the delivery of exceptional patient-centered services.

Nonetheless, many medical professionals oppose the move. Although patients will gain more choice, individuals with chronic long-term conditions will have to begin to pay for medication if the state will no longer supply it. This will come as a shock to many, and could price many out of receiving the vital treatment, but is something the country will seek to address moving forward.