Viktor Liashko: medical workers in active war zones should receive increased wages

The state is working to improve the availability of medical care in areas of active military operations and in de-occupied territories. This was stated by the Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko during his working visit to the Kherson oblast.

The minister visited local hospitals, where he directly talked with doctors and heads of medical institutions. He also took a look at the state of provision of the city and oblast with medicines, medical equipment, and the financial condition of healthcare institutions operating in the Kherson oblast.

 “Today, first of all, I would like to thank all the doctors who work here in the Kherson oblast – they treat and save the lives of Ukrainians. Despite all the difficulties, conditions and circumstances of wartime, at the risk of their own life and health. You are all true heroes. Without exaggeration. Kherson is the first oblast center to be de-occupied. However, until now, people here are under constant enemy fire. Infrastructure, including medical, is constantly being destroyed. Our task now is to make every effort to ensure that the sick and wounded, both civilian and military, have the opportunity to receive all the necessary medical care. I am here to hear each of you, to jointly find optimal solutions that will support the medical system and improve the availability of medical care in those territories where active military operations are still ongoing,” Viktor Liashko said.

The participants discussed a number of issues related to proper medical support for people who are currently in the Kherson oblast, as well as the problems faced by doctors. In addition, attention was paid to the problem of mental health, which is becoming increasingly important and requires an appropriate response. It is especially relevant for those people who were directly in the zone of active military operations or survived the enemy occupation.

In 2023, health care institutions of the Kherson oblast, within the framework of the program of medical guarantees, concluded 124 contracts with the NHSU on medical care for the population in the areas of primary and specialized medical care for a total amount of more than UAH 2 billion. At the same time, in January-March 2023, the NHSU paid more than UAH 500 million to medical service providers under contracts concluded with them. The total amount of payments for medical services in 2022 amounted to more than UAH 3.5 billion.

At a meeting with the general directors of medical institutions located in Kherson, the minister noted the expediency of raising salaries for medical workers due to the nature of their working conditions. Since the funds that institutions receive under the package of the medical guarantee program “Readiness and provision of medical care to the population located in the territory where military operations are being conducted” are enough for all institutions to do this.