Ukraine and the World Bank are implementing a new healthcare project THRIVE. Agreements totalling USD 454 million signed

Today, on 10 December, the leadership of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the World Bank signed financial agreements under the new systemic project Transforming Healthcare through Reform and Investments in Efficiency (THRIVE). 

The signatories were the Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko, the Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko and the World Bank Regional Director for Eastern Europe Bob Saum. 

The aim of the project is to assist the Government of Ukraine in improving the Programme for Medical Guarantees (MGP) to create a reliable healthcare system.  

In particular, the Minister of Finance has signed a loan agreement with the World Bank for USD 249 million with the support of the Government of Japan through the ADVANCE Ukraine Trust Fund (including USD 29 million for interest capitalisation) and a loan agreement for USD 200 million.

“The implementation of the new THRIVE project will allow us to attract the necessary funding to support government reforms in the healthcare sector as soon as possible, namely to improve the operation of the medical guarantee programme. Ensuring the timely provision of quality healthcare services to citizens is one of the Government's priorities in times of full-scale war. I am grateful to the World Bank team for understanding our urgent needs and supporting Ukrainians,” said Sergii Marchenko. 

THRIVE is one of the projects implemented using the PforR financial instrument, which provides for the achievement of indicators, upon verification of which Ukraine will attract a certain tranche of funds. Thus, by the end of 2024, the estimated disbursement under the Project will amount to USD 220 million for achieving the envisaged results. 

Key tasks include prioritisation of services under the MGP, introduction of more efficient and strategic financing methods, and strengthening of accountability under the Programme. 

The Ministry of Health and the World Bank also signed a USD 5 million grant agreement from the rom the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) to finance the “Transforming Healthcare through Reform and Investments in Efficiency” investment project (THRIVE IPF) and support the implementation of THRIVE PforR. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is the responsible executing agency for the IPF part.  

On 9 December, the World Bank's Board of Directors approved a new systemic project in Ukraine, Transforming Health through Reform and Investments in Efficiency (THRIVE). At the stage of approval, the planned total project volume reaches more than USD 1.2 billion for 2024-2027.