Theses on the role of private medicine in healthcare reform and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
Vadim Shekman, General Director of Dobrobut Medical Network.
Medicine and economy of UkraineThe economy of Ukraine in 2022 fell by 35%.
In the state budget of Ukraine for medicine in 2023, 10% less funds are allocated than in the previous year. For the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, it is necessary to attract Ukrainian and foreign businesses, and therefore we must become interesting for international investors. On its own, the Ukrainian state is unable to fully cover the real needs of the health care system. Charity ends very quickly. Investors need to understand how they will return this money. To do this, the “conditions of the game” must be clear and transparent.
Surcharge as a tool for post-war reconstruction of the economy and medicine in Ukraine. Of course, the surcharge is not a panacea. There is no simple solution. I hear arguments that you can not introduce surcharges in small towns where there will be no competitors. However, the best does not have to be the enemy of the good. We have to find situations where the surcharge can work.We have to recognize that the concept of “our budget can pay for everything, always, for everyone” does not work. This is not the case in any country in the world.We need to determine what part of this budget the state wants to focus on. These may be certain categories of the population, the most socially unprotected, to whom the state will pay for medical services. Or for a certain number of medical services for all categories of the population, and leave other services to be paid by the patients themselves. We understand that between 3% that come from the state budget for health care, and 10% that are paid, there is another 7% and they come from somewhere. This money in one form or another is not paid by patients officially.When the war ends, the economic situation in the country will not improve. It will get worse and at that moment serious economic problems will begin.
We need to understand what the state should focus on and what private medicine can help. Where you can attract foreign investors who will invest, increase competition and improve the quality of medical care. We need to start today!
