Round Table: “How Can Health Care In Ukraine Be Reformed?”

On the 10th of November 2009, Project Director, Ms. Oxana Abovskaya participated in a Round Table meeting with the topic: “How Can Health Care In Ukraine Be Reformed?”, which was organized by the weekly periodical “Komentari”. The discussion of reform process in health care was also joined by the Minister of Health, Mr. Vasyl Knyazevych, the Head of National Health Care Council under the President of Ukraine, the Сouncillor of the President of Ukraine, Mr. Mykola Polishchuk, the president of Ukrainian Insurance Federation, Mr. Olexandr Zavada, the scientific director of the МВА program “Modern Health Care Management” of the International Management Institute, Ms. Galyna Maistruk, the editor-in-chief of the weekly periodical “Komentari”, Mr. Vadym Denycenko.

The Minister of Health, Mr. Vasyl Knyazevych, pointed out that this year’s epidemic of flu in Ukraine once again proved the necessity of reforming national health care system. In his opinion, changes in health care should be systemic and cover primary, secondary and tertiary health care. The role of a doctor in he community should also change. “We should review our attitude towards both medicine and our own health”,  - said Mr. Knyazevych.

Mr. Vasyl Knyazevych also informed the participants about the legislative initiatives, which were prepared by the Ministry of Health. According to the Minister, a law regarding urgent health care and law regarding medical facilities are being prepared.

Ms. Oxana Abovskaya spoke on the activities of the Project, pointing out that the health care system of Ukraine, built on the principle of solidarity, needs adaptation to current economic and political circumstances. The EU Project “Support to Second Health Care Reform in Ukraine” together with the MoH developed the draft program of restructuring health care sector. The system of medical education should pay more attention to the provision of qualified managers for the health care facilities. The role of Chief Doctor should be enforced as the role of the senior manager of the health care facility.

Mr. Mykola Polishchuk, the Head of National Health Care Council under the President of Ukraine, underlined, that health care reforms should be implemented immediately. He pointed out that the stress should be made on ensuring quality of health care, taking into consideration actual needs of the population. Sufficient amount of PHC doctors should be trained for both the village and the city.

Mr. Olexandr Zavada, the president of Ukrainian Insurance Federation, spoke on the development of medical insurance in Ukraine, mentioning that its implementation in Ukraine must take place only with taking into account market mechanisms.

Ms. Galyna Maistruk stressed, that the pledge of successful implementation of the health care system reform can only be the understating of its essence by general public and thus establishing a permanent dialogue between the authorities and population is highly important.