The second stage of medical reform: theory and practice

Many hospitals are close to closing. Starting April 1st, Ukrainians will receive basic medical services and emergency care at support hospitals.

“If a hospital or maternity hospital receives one childbirth per year and another maternity hospital specializes and receives 800 childbirths per year, you understand what is not a commensurate level of qualification,” – says Oleksandr Torhun, head of the Health Institute of the Future. He stated this on the TV channel “Inter”.

Support hospitals will be located more than 100 kilometers from the settlements. So there is a risk that people will be deprived of emergency care. Narrow specialists will continue to work in local hospitals, but under certain conditions.

“First, hospitals have to become a non-profit utility. Secondly, there must be a medical information system that works with an electronic database to transmit patient information. Third, there must be an appropriate license. Fourth, a contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine should be signed, ”Oleksandr Torhun stressed.

Funds for second-line hospitals should be provided by the health service. At the direction of the family doctor, the patient goes to the desired specialist in a public hospital, which he chooses. The state pays for consultations, procedures and preparations in advance. According to the approved price list, a doctor’s consultation costs UAH 49. The prices for operations are also written.

«Even the introduction of a drug that dilutes blood and dissolves the blood clot -« Alteplase », costs from 13 to 18 thousand hryvnias. Not an instrumental examination, magnetic resonance imaging, then you need a specialist to see, a neurologist. The cost of all these services is, in fact, about 50 thousand hryvnias, ”said Alexander Torgun.

50 thousand hryvnia minus 20 thousand hryvnias; Who will pay them? According to the authors of the medical reform, the local authorities should cover the shortage. But in theory, in practice – local budgets are often underfunded. Even if the entire amount is covered, it is impossible to cure the patient for this money.