Ministry of Health: restoration of medical infrastructure is estimated at least more than USD 6 billion

Since the beginning of the active stage of the war, russia has caused significant losses to the medical system. The biggest damage was caused to the medical infrastructure in the territories of 5 oblasts: Donetsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Kyiv. Also, the situation with medical infrastructure in the Luhansk oblast remains difficult. Ukraine does not actually have access to medical institutions in this territory and cannot fully assess the degree of destruction.  

However, despite the daily shelling and challenges faced by the medical system, Ukraine, with the help of international partners, is already working to restore medical infrastructure from the consequences of the war. 

Now the Ministry of Health has established a project office for the restoration of the healthcare system. Its main purpose is to support and coordinate the implementation of reform and reconstruction measures. 

“Over the past year, we have been synchronizing with international partners in order to move in unison in the restoration of the medical system and efficiently coordinate the technical support that comes from various international sources. The sectoral working group in which we have gathered is exactly the platform where we will be able to discuss the activities of partners, set priorities and outline clear vectors for further movement,” Ihor Kuzin said during a meeting of the sectoral working group “Healthcare”, which was created on the basis of the Ministry of Health. 

According to the deputy minister of health, the sectoral working group, which includes numerous international partners, will soon focus on the restoration of the medical system and the challenges caused by the war.

The total need to restore medical infrastructure is already estimated at USD 6.4 billion. More than USD15 billion is needed to restore the healthcare system as a whole to the best European practices. 

To ensure that the restoration takes place in a comprehensive manner, the Ministry of Health has developed a draft plan for the restoration of medical infrastructure. 

The recovery plan is divided into 3 blocks. The first one is integrated into military realities and concerns the provision of medical care, and the restoration of medical services in the de-occupied territories. This includes monitoring damaged infrastructure and developing further recovery plans.

The second block is directly the restoration of medical infrastructure that was damaged or destroyed by the invaders. At this stage, there will be not only the restoration of medical institutions but also the strengthening of rehabilitation services, the provision of mental health services, the harmonization of legislation with the EU, etc. 

The third block will provide for the modernization of the medical system in accordance with the best international practices. This stage includes improving the quality of medical care and developing human resources.