Down to Earth Healthcare Reform

Olena Khytrova

The end of 2016 became the turning point for the healthcare reform after the government approved its funding concept. The concept revolves around the future National Healthcare Service of Ukraine (NHSU), which will purchase medical services in the amount guaranteed by the state, paying directly to clinics or doctor entrepreneurs per patient (or under the system of diagnosis-related groups (DRG) at secondary level). The process will use a database on patients, their doctors and treatment, allowing for instant exchange of information between all parties and cutting down on paperwork.

After the reform, the Ukrainian healthcare market will adhere to the doctrines of “patients equal money”, “free choice of doctors”, “accessible and comprehensive medical treatment” and “higher efficiency”. We’ll see how those precepts will actually work in the new environment.