Distinguished colleagues, fellow Ukrainians!
We begin a regular session of the Government!
The health of every person and the entire nation is of the utmost value.
In the context of a full-scale war, the healthcare sector has also faced a number of challenges. Much has already been done, but there is still much work ahead.
Over the course of the war, we have either fully or partially restored more than 950 medical facilities.
We provide hospitals with modern equipment. Last year alone, medical institutions received more than 100,000 units of modern equipment and medical devices.
We have increased the number of rehabilitation specialists sevenfold. We have created more than 30 mental health centres and will bring their number to 200.
Instead of the MSEC (Medical Social Expert Commission - ed.), we have launched a system for assessing the daily functioning of a person, the work being carried out by more than 1,500 expert teams.
We have started delivering medicines through mobile pharmacies and Ukrposhta. We pay special attention to the frontline regions and remote villages.
We launched a programme of free dental prosthetics and dental treatment for our defenders and veterans.
In 2025, the budget of the medical guarantee programme will increase by 10%. This demonstrates that, despite all the challenges, healthcare is a priority for our Government, not just in words.
Among the objectives for 2025 are as follows:
involvement of departmental and specialised medical institutions in the medical guarantee programme;
implementation of fifteen priority regional investment projects in healthcare;
expanding access to medical services for war veterans;
scaling up the Affordable Medicines programme;
creating more than 300 outpatient rehabilitation spaces and much more;
restoration of Okhmatdyt;
further development of the system of safe shelters in hospitals.
Today, we adopt a key framework document for our healthcare system - the Healthcare System Development Strategy until 2030. We also approve the plan for its implementation over the next three years.
We set ourselves three strategic goals.
The first is equal access to medical services for all citizens.
For this purpose, we have envisaged expanding the role of primary healthcare and integrating mono-profile medical institutions into multidisciplinary hospitals.
We will strengthen the system of responding to pandemic and war threats and adapt healthcare to the needs of veterans.
Part of the changes will also include rebuilding and modernising hospitals.
The second strategic goal is to intensify cross-sectoral coordination in healthcare management.
To do this, we plan to strengthen all levels of management, including the Ministry of Health, the NHSU, the Public Health Centre and others. We will improve the system of financing and efficient use of resources.
We will create a cross-sectoral coordination mechanism.
We will adapt Ukraine as a future member of the European Union to EU medical standards.
Our third strategic goal is to develop human capital and attract investment.
We are talking about better medical education. In particular, through the creation of multidisciplinary hospitals at universities and through the integration of educational and scientific work.
This also involves the introduction of modern technologies, such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence tools, the development of transplantation and bioengineering.
We set a goal to digitise healthcare management, to completely abandon paper and go digital. We plan to attract investments in the healthcare sector. In particular, through the involvement of private hospitals in the implementation of the medical guarantees programme.
The Strategy Implementation Plan has clear indicators, specific steps, and responsibilities. Our mission is to build one of the best and, equally important, one of the most affordable healthcare systems in the world.
Today we also approve an important decision of the Government in the energy sector.
For the heating season, the Government has ensured that the electricity tariff for households remains unchanged at UAH 4.32 per kWh.
It has also provided a preferential tariff of UAH 2.64 for people using electric heating systems. Until now, it applied to those who consume up to 2,000 kWh of electricity per month. However, there are many people who consume more than this limit and were forced to pay the full tariff.
Hence, we endorse a resolution on the differentiation of the preferential tariff through the PSO (Public Service Obligation) mechanism. From now on, consumers will pay the full tariff only for the amount of electricity that exceeds the limit of 2,000 kWh. The remaining electricity consumption will be charged at UAH 2.64.
This decision is part of the comprehensive support for Ukrainians that the Government is introducing this winter and will continue after it is completed.
In particular, the sum of UAH 10.5 billion in funding has been provided to individuals and businesses to install energy equipment that makes every home and business more autonomous and energy-resilient. This funding will add 470 MW of capacity to the power grid.
8.2 million people have already benefited from UAH 1,000 of assistance under the Winter ePidtrymka programme. The number of applications through Diia has exceeded 10 million.
These figures and the results of the aforesaid and other Winter Support programmes demonstrate the timeliness and importance of this initiative.
We will continue to expand and improve support programmes in line with the existing challenges.
I am grateful to the Ukrainian defenders who are heroically defending Ukraine.
I am grateful to everyone who supports the army in the home front. I am grateful to everyone who rescues, treats, teaches, and creates new industries.
Together we are strong, together we will win and rebuild!
Thank you for your attention! Glory to Ukraine!