As part of the implementation of the joint agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Council of Europe Development Bank, EUR 10 million was allocated to the budget
Ukraine's budget has received EUR 10 million in concessional financing from the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB). This is the first tranche received as part of the joint project “Health Enhancement and Lifesaving” (HEAL Ukraine) between the Ministry of Health, the World Bank, and the Council of Europe Development Bank.
The funds will reimburse expenses and pay for medical services provided under the Medical Guarantee Program. This includes rehabilitation, psychological support services, and other urgent healthcare needs.
“Our healthcare system is currently going through difficult times as we try to effectively counter the challenges of war and continue reforming Ukraine’s healthcare system. The damage and losses caused by russia to Ukraine’s medical infrastructure are enormous and have already amounted to at least seven billion US dollars. That is why the support of international partners, in particular the Council of Europe Development Bank, is very important to us. The budget has now received the first tranche of concessional financing in the amount of EUR 10 million. The funds will be used to improve the accessibility and quality of medical care.”
The goal of the HEAL Ukraine project is to restore and improve access to basic healthcare services, address new and urgent healthcare needs, modernize the medical system, and more.
To assess the effectiveness of the project, five performance indicators (Performance Based Conditions or PBC) have been identified. These are indicators that evaluate the planning, organization, and management of resources to successfully achieve the goals. After monitoring, the World Bank confirms that the PBC indicators have been met and informs the Council of Europe Development Bank.
Further, the CEB will co-finance the activities of the joint project, which will allow EUR 10 million to be allocated to the general fund of the state budget of Ukraine.
“I am proud that the CEB has disbursed the first tranche of the HEAL project so quickly. In the future, our priority is to implement the project quickly and efficiently to ensure that Ukrainians have access to the most necessary medical care.”
“We are grateful to the CEB for its significant financial support, which contributes to the strengthening of the Ukrainian medical system. The HEAL Ukraine project allows us to expand the range and access to medical services, as well as improve their efficiency and quality. Millions of Ukrainians have already received medical care thanks to the successful implementation of HEAL Ukraine.”
Earlier, the project attracted about USD 125 million to the general fund of the state budget for meeting performance indicators.
To date, the following performance indicators have been achieved in the healthcare sector for the period from November 1, 2022 to September 1, 2024:
- more than five million doses of basic childhood vaccinations were provided to children;
- more than 5.3 million people underwent extended primary medical examinations;
- more than 4.9 million people received discounted medicines under the state program “Affordable Medicines”;
- about 400 thousand people received mental health services;
- about 430 thousand people underwent rehabilitation;
- more than 3900 healthcare workers were trained to assist survivors of gender-based violence.
The Ministry of Health and the World Bank are currently implementing two major healthcare projects: “Emergency Response to COVID-19 and Vaccination in Ukraine” and “Health Enhancement and Lifesaving” (HEAL Ukraine).
It should be recalled that the Minister of Health Viktor Liashko recently met with Carlo Monticelli, Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank, to discuss current cooperation and its potential expansion through new projects. During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of the first Framework Loan Agreement with the CEB under the joint project with the World Bank “Health Enhancement and Lifesaving”.