President of Ukraine

I insist that special attention should be paid to doctors and medical institutions - Volodymyr Zelenskyy

4 April 2020 - 16:20

At a traditional conference call on combating the spread of coronavirus, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard information on inspections of hospitals in terms of their condition, provision of funding, special protection means, and availability of health workers.

Chief medical officer Viktor Lyashko informed of the situation in the Ternopil region, where he set off pursuant to the instructions of the Head of State. There were problems with the highest number of infected doctors and non-payment of salaries. The money for the payments has been found, and the salaries will be paid soon. Viktor Lyashko also denied the fakes about reducing expenditures on the local health facility because of a change in funding. The Chief medical officer told the doctors that their budget had now increased by 400 million hryvnias.

“But this is only one situation. We've received an incredible amount of appeals in the last few days. We knew that the Ukrainian medical system was not fully prepared for such challenges as the epidemic. After all, throughout the years of independence it was simply destroyed. We won't make it perfect in a month or six months. But I insist that special attention should be paid to doctors and medical institutions. Appeals should be verified and responded to. The situation in medicine must be urgently improved. Step by step,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Additionally, the parties discussed the conditions of the sites for observation of those coming to Ukraine. The law enforcement bodies, the Ministry of Health and local authorities are currently inspecting the premises under a new instruction of the Ministry of Health. The number of sites for observation under new requirements will be determined next week.

"How can we want people to spend two weeks in a situation where there are no elementary things - water or light, let alone normal renovation? You understand that we must ensure comfortable observation conditions,” the President emphasized.