Financing of medicine in state budget-2022 must be at least 5% of GDP – Vitali Klitschko's UDAR

KYIV. Oct 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The draft state budget for 2022 needs to be adjusted and foresee at least 5% for medicine, as required by law, according to a statement by Vitali Klitschko’s UDAR party, posted on the party’s website.

"Over the two years of the pandemic, the authorities did not understand that the proper level of funding for the medical industry is a matter of national security of the country. As a result, our healthcare remains underfunded. In the draft budget for next year, the costs of the medical industry are planned at 3.5% of GDP, and according to the law on state financial guarantees of medical services to the population the figure should be at least 5% of GDP. Thus, in 2022, the medical industry should receive not UAH 193 billion, but UAH 268 billion," the statement says.

The party emphasizes that underfunding of medicine jeopardizes the ability of the medical system to adequately respond to the threats associated with the pandemic and again postpones the completion of medical reform in terms of increasing salaries for specialized doctors and medical personnel indefinitely. In addition, the expenditures on the program of medical guarantees are protected budget items, and therefore should have priority in the development of the draft budget and the adoption of the corresponding law, the UDAR party emphasizes.

"The health of people is the main capital of the country. Adequate financing of the industry is a matter of preserving the life and health of people and the opportunity to continue reforms begun. Ukrainians should receive really high-quality and affordable medicine, and doctors should receive decent remuneration and decent social protection," the party added.