The Government's Baby Box initiative is a pilot national project aimed to provide the social protection of families with children and support for the development of responsible parenthood, which was launched on September 1, 2018. A Baby Box is provided to all families in which children are born. This was emphasized today during a press conference at the Government House.

In particular, Deputy Social Policy Minister on European Integration Oleksandra Churkina emphasized that in Ukraine this project means "a new ideological approach, since the Baby Box "works for prevention, promotes early care and has nationwide coverage. The project itself is aimed at creating a stable system of protecting mother and child health and formation of a responsible parenting system in Ukraine", she added.

Oleksandra Churkina stressed that the Baby Box is provided to all newborn, regardless of place of birth, after submitting the relevant application to the relevant social protection department.

However, according to her, the Baby Box in no way affects the payment of a cash benefit - this is an additional natural assistance for which every newborn is eligible. Also, the Box does not affect the calculations of the total income of the family if it is needed to apply for other social benefits.

Director General of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and European Integration of the Ministry of Health Iryna Lytovchenko informed, the Ministry of Health recommended neither medicines should be included in the Baby Box, as doctor must prescribe necessary medicines, nor any bottles or infant formula products, as it is crucial to support breastfeeding.

Director of the UNOPS office Andrii Buryakovsky emphasized the Baby Box is "a challenging project, because it means "the creation of a systemic Government service designed to satisfy the needs of the families in which children are born."

He stressed that the regions will receive Baby Boxes on time and in accordance with the orders. The cost of one Box is UAH 3,377.80.

Andrii Buryakovsky also stressed that the projected cost savings from the planned for the project funding makes up more than UAH 179 million, and the regions and the Government should decide how to manage the resource. For its part, the Office recommends buying additional Baby Boxes to ensure a smooth transition at the beginning of 2019.

Background

On May 30, 2018, the State Social Program "National Action Plan for the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child" for the period up to 2021 was approved.

On June 20, the Government endorsed the procedure of the Baby Box provision – a one-time assistance.

The Ministry of Social Policy has carried out a large-scale work to fill the box with 25 products with everything necessary at birth for the baby.

Currently, 23 regions receive Baby Boxes, Donetsk and Luhansk regions are currently documenting their receipt of such Boxes.