The results of monitoring of informal payments at health facilities were presented in Kyiv
Hospital patients often have to pay for services that were already financed from the budget, Yuriy Nestulya, Executive Director of the Institute for Analysis and Advocacy, said during a July 11 press conference in Kyiv. The organization presented the results of monitoring of informal payments at health facilities that was carried out with support from the Public Health Program Initiative of the International Renaissance Foundation.
Yuriy Nestulya noted that large amounts are collected through forced “charitable” contributions to funds working at health facilities. The results of the study show that the total amount of such unofficial payments could equal a city’s entire budget for healthcare. “Only a proper approach and adherence to the principles of accountability and legality will ensure that there is necessary financing for healthcare,” the expert said.
“People understand that there are holes in the healthcare budget in Ukraine and it needs additional sources of financing. But few are aware that some people are filling their own pockets by taking advantage of low public awareness of basic rights,” said Maksym Demchenko, Executive Director of Light of Hope Charitable Association.
“With the economic crisis and budget cuts in all areas of healthcare, it is extremely important to ensure access to treatment. This can be done by combating corruption in the sector. That is why we supported this study, and are ready to support any other civil society initiatives to monitor public procurement and the fight against informal healthcare payments,” said Olena Kucheruk, Acting Director of the IRF Public Health Program Initiative.
During the press conference the experts used the example of Poltava. Citizens there paid 120 million hryvnias in unofficial payments for treatment (bribes or gifts for doctors). This included 16.5 million in “charitable” donations to hospital funds, of which only 2.6 million hryvnias went to the medical facilities. The disclosure of this information helped activists stop the practice: one fund ceased operating and one hospital began reporting on revenues and expenses.
Contacts:
Institute for Analysis and Advocacy
Yuriy Nestulya
+380 50 30 45 479
nestulya@gmail.com
