In the framework of the working visit to Khmelnytsky region Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman paid a visit to the renovated maternity ward of the central district hospital in the town of Starokonstiantyniv.

"This is a vivid example of power decentralization," said the Prime Minister, speaking about the maternity ward. In 2016, there took place major repairs of the hospital building for subventions from the state budget intended for the development of certain territories to the tune of UAH 692.5 thousand.

"We handed over a lot of resources to local governments – to budgets of cities, regions, areas. There are funds there that can be directed to improve the quality of health care as well," said the Head of Government.

In particular, in 2016 the sum over UAH 44 billion was directed to fill local budgets. This year these budgets will grow by another 25%.

"This is a substantial resource. Local budgets have the money. If you display a wisely approach, you can buy necessary equipment, and refurbish wards, and even a new hospital," urged Volodymyr Groysman.

The Prime Minister met with the staff of the ward. He told about the steps taken by the Government aimed to change the health care system.

Namely, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to encourage lowering prices for drugs in Ukraine and deregulation of the pharmaceutical market.

Apart from that, the Government also introduced a system of reference pricing that comes in effect from 1 April. In addition, a procedure of reimbursement for drugs to cure cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type II and bronchial asthma was launched.

The Government is committed to prolong public procurement of medicines through international organizations that has already enabled savings of up to USD 3 million of the budget. For these purposes there was planned in 2017 an increased amount totalling UAH 5.9 billion.

Moreover, there was envisaged the sum worth UAH 150 million for the establishment of centers of cardiovascular surgery across the country.

The Government has set a number of objectives for 2017, in particular to finalize the construction and open a new building of the National Children's Specialized Hospital “OKHMATDYT”.

The Prime Minister assured the Government is poised for changes in the system of financing the medical sector. "We want to make the system of financing salaries of doctors stimulating. The better doctor works, the more clients he has, the larger is his salary,” Volodymyr Groysman explained and added it is vital to finance high quality healthcare service containing doctor’s wage in its structure – so the philosophy will be changed.

The Government is looking forward to the adoption of the law on compulsory health insurance, said the Prime Minister. He accentuated the current state of affairs in the healthcare sector is dismal, therefore change is vital here.