Yulia Svyrydenko: Government’s priority is to prepare hospitals for winter as well as to support medical staff

The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, held a video conference on healthcare issues with representatives of the regions. During the meeting, key state programmes in the field of medicine and the progress of their implementation were discussed.

The main priority is to prepare the healthcare system for the coming autumn-winter period and ensure the self-sufficiency of hospitals.

“Of the 643 healthcare facilities in the capable network and multi-specialist hospitals in frontline regions, 56% are already fully self-sufficient — they have generators, their own boiler rooms and boreholes. Work is ongoing to further enhance authonomy: 52 solid-fuel boiler rooms will be installed as backups, notably in Kyiv and Odesa,” the Prime Minister noted.

Special attention was paid at the meeting to supporting healthcare workers.

• Funding for emergency medical centres has been increased this year, and the average salary for a doctor in the system is now around UAH 42,000. Emergency medical staff in frontline communities receive additional support through the medical guarantees programme.

• Funding for primary care has increased — higher rates and additional coefficients are in place for working in difficult conditions and combat zones.

• A separate support package is in place for specialist healthcare facilities in frontline regions to retain staff. Over UAH 1.1 billion has been allocated for this purpose and the support will continue into the second half of 2026.

The issue of access to healthcare services for citizens was also discussed during the conference call.

• Over 50,000 people have already undergone health screening for those aged 40 and over. We are preparing to launch an update — the programme will be available without being tied to a specific date of birth.

• We are expanding opportunities for joint replacement, dentures and dental care for veterans.

• The Affordable Medicines programme continues to expand: 1.76 million Ukrainians used it in the first quarter — 12% more than last year. 

According to the Prime Minister, from 1 July the programme will be expanded to include new medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The development of a network of mobile pharmacies and the expansion of the Medicines Nearby programme, with the possibility of selling over-the-counter medicines at petrol stations, were discussed separately. 

“Currently, 235 petrol stations across Ukraine have already received the relevant licences,” told Yulia Svyrydenko.

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