Medical reform in Ukraine was introduced in 2014 and included a number of measures to improve the quality and availability of medical services for the population. In 2018, the law on public health insurance was introduced, which should help ensure the financing of the medical industry and provide the population with access to quality medical services.
However, reform is not a static process and requires constant improvement and development. In 2020, the Law “On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian health care system during reforms” was adopted, which should ensure the stability of the health care system during reforms.
So, it can be said that the medical reform in Ukraine is an ongoing process and involves the improvement and development of the medical industry in order to provide the population with access to quality medical services.
The main goal of the reform is to ensure the availability and quality of medical services for all citizens of Ukraine. In addition, the goal of the reform is to improve the financial stability of the medical industry and reduce the shadow economy in medicine.
Other goals of medical reform may include:
- Improving the management of the medical industry and increasing the efficiency of the work of medical institutions.
- Expanding the network of medical institutions and providing them with high-quality equipment and materials.
- Development of primary medical care and popularization of preventive medicine.
- Improving the qualifications of medical workers and ensuring their decent remuneration.
- Ensuring the availability of medical services for vulnerable groups of the population, such as the elderly, children, people with disabilities and others.
The ultimate goal of medical reform is to provide the population of Ukraine with high-quality and affordable medical services that meet international standards.
The medical reform in Ukraine involves a set of measures and changes related to various aspects of the medical field. Usually, the following key components of the medical reform structure can be identified:
- Creation of the state health insurance system: this involves the creation of a single fund for the collection and distribution of funds for the medical needs of citizens. The Law on State Medical Insurance was adopted in Ukraine in 2018 and provides for financing of medical services at the expense of contributions from employees and the state budget.
- Reorganization of the medical system: involves the development of primary medical care and the formation of a single medical space that unites medical institutions of different levels. For this purpose, a new structure of the medical system was created in Ukraine – the national health service.
- Changes in the financing of the medical industry: it involves the rejection of financing hospitals for bed days and the creation of a financing system based on the principle of “money follows the patient”.
- The development of electronic medicine: includes the creation of a single electronic medical file for each patient and electronic registration for an appointment with a doctor.
- Improving the qualifications of medical workers: involves updating the system of improving the qualifications of doctors and introducing new standards of education in the medical field.
Medical reform as of 2023
At the moment, no specific changes or expansions have been officially announced as part of the medical reform in Ukraine for 2023. However, the government and the Ministry of Health continue to work on the development of the medical system, in particular, the improvement of financing, the development of primary medical care and the provision of the necessary material and technical resources.
Also, we can expect an improvement in the working conditions of medical workers, in particular, an increase in their wages and provision of the necessary material and technical resources, which is one of the key problems in the medical system of Ukraine.
Also, we can hope for the further development of the medical electronic system and the improvement of the processes of providing medical care, which will reduce bureaucracy and improve the quality of medical care.