During a working trip to the Khmelnytskyi region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the laboratory of microbiological research of the State Institution "Khmelnytskyi Regional Laboratory Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine".
The Head of State inspected the center's laboratory and the premises where biomaterial samples for COVID-19 testing are taken. The staff showed the President medical equipment, including a thermocycler purchased for the center by patrons.
The President discussed with the staff of the center the problems that need to be solved in the near future to prepare the healthcare system for a possible second wave of coronavirus disease in Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also asked about the situation with the payment of allowances to health workers struggling with COVID-19.
Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine, Chief medical officer Viktor Lyashko informed that the treasury has money for such payments, and the relevant estimates have already been signed. Doctors will soon receive the allowance provided by law.
"We have to check everything. Even when the money is found, it does not reach the doctors. And this is all over the country. We need to check everything manually with the Chief medical officer. It is wrong. You need to know for sure that the money is paid," the Head of State said.
The center's staff also complained to Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the lack of professional staff. In particular, there is a problem with the training of laboratory technicians working on microbiological research.
Viktor Lyashko noted that in recent years Ukraine has not trained relevant specialists at all.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the laboratory staff to promptly report possible problems that arise in the work.
"These are very important things. Until we build a system in the country, we will communicate in this way," the President said.
Viktor Lyashko thanked the President for his attention to this issue and, in particular, for his visit to the center.
