Healthcare provision in frontline areas: working visit of the Minister to Kherson oblast
As part of a working visit to Kherson oblast (region), the Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Liashko, visited a number of healthcare facilities and met with the Head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. The visit focused on the operation of the healthcare system in frontline areas, the safety of patients and medical personnel, and the implementation of key infrastructure projects.
During the visit, the Minister visited the Kherson Regional Centre for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine. Between 23 and 25 emergency medical teams operate daily in the region, responding to 150 to 200 calls. In 2025, the service received almost 69,000 calls, carried out 47,800 visits, and transported 14,800 patients to hospitals.
“The work of emergency medical teams, especially in frontline regions, requires special attention and solutions. In 2026, funding for emergency medical care under the Program of Medical Guarantees will increase to UAH 13.1 billion, with the basic capitation rate raised to UAH 375. Additional incentive payments have also been introduced for emergency medical personnel working under challenging security conditions in areas of active hostilities. It is crucial that this funding increase primarily benefits the professionals who respond to calls every day. This is the key point I emphasize during meetings with the heads of emergency medical care centers. According to calculations, in January, the average monthly salary of a physician in the Kherson emergency medical service was nearly UAH 45,000, a paramedic earned about UAH 41,000, and an emergency medical technician nearly UAH 28,000.”
It should be noted that Resolution No. 1808 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, dated December 31, 2025, “On Certain Issues of Implementing the Program of State Guarantees for Medical Care for the Population in 2026,” provides for the introduction of incentive payments for employees of emergency medical care centers providing services in areas of active hostilities. Under this resolution, contracts with these centers now include payments differentiated by staff category: UAH 12,000 for physicians (excluding medical interns), UAH 6,557.38 for mid-level medical specialists, UAH 2,500 for junior medical personnel, and UAH 4,098.36 for drivers.
During his visit, the Minister also familiarized himself with the implementation of security and infrastructure solutions at key medical facilities in the region. At one facility, an underground hospital is already functioning, offering medical care under continuous security threats, including surgery and intensive care. Additionally, an infrastructure project is being implemented with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine. This project aims to expand inpatient care capabilities and create additional conditions for the safe work of healthcare staff and patients. Project documentation is also being developed for an underground maternity unit.
At another hospital, an investment project is ongoing to rebuild the emergency department into an urgent care unit. In 2025, UAH 30 million was allocated for this work. The project includes equipping the facility with modern medical equipment, including a computed tomography (CT) scanner. At the same time, preparatory work is underway to rebuild the basement premises into a dual-purpose facility with protective features of a radiological shelter, where operating and intensive care units are planned to be established.
Systematic work is also underway to strengthen the autonomy of medical facilities in the Kherson oblast.
“We continuously monitor the readiness of hospitals to operate during power outages and interruptions in heat and water supply. Currently, all key inpatient facilities in the Kherson oblast are equipped with everything necessary to provide uninterrupted medical care. At the same time, we are developing new solutions—particularly solar power generation—to strengthen the resilience of medical infrastructure in areas.”
17 facilities are under constant monitoring, 14 of which are key inpatient hospitals. All of them are equipped with backup power sources: a total of 149 power generators are operating in the region. There are also 27 autonomous boiler rooms to ensure stable operations in case of possible interruptions in heat supply. In addition, the facilities are equipped with alternative water supply sources: 4 of them have district water supply, 5 have a combination of district and autonomous supply, and 7 operate entirely on autonomous sources with their own wells.
In addition, some medical facilities are already using solar power generation: the relevant equipment has been installed at 2 hospitals, while 8 others have the technical capacity to install solar power plants. One of these facilities is currently being equipped under the “Promin Nadii” (Ray of Hope) project.