HEALTHCARE
HEALTHCARE NEWS IN JANUARY 2018
The New MoH Deputy Head Was Appointed
The government appointed Olga Stefanyshyna at the position of the Deputy Head of the MOH responsible for the European integration and drug procurement . This position envisages implementation of the key responsibilities of Ukraine within the Association Agreement with the EU . She replaced Oksana Spivak , who had resigned in Aug 2017 .
Since 2011 , Mrs . Stefanyshyna was the Executive Director of the Patients of Ukraine charity foundation , which defends the rights of patients to qualitative treatment . The organization actively participated in implementation of reforms in healthcare sphere . Mrs . Stefanyshyna was the coauthor of the Law on the delegation of public procurements of drugs to the international organizations .
Measles Outbreaks in Ukraine
In Nov 2017-Jan 2018 , above 2 ths cases of measles were registered in Ukraine , about 70 % of diseased were children . 86 % of diseased were not vaccinated . The main outbreaks were registered Ivano-Frankivsk , Odessa and Zakarpattia regions . The MoH see the low-vaccination level ( in 2016 the measles vaccination plan was implemented by 45 %) as a threat , which could cause the epidemic .
The MOH started the emergent procurement of vaccines to spread them in regions . However , the Head of the Public Health Center expects further increase of the disease level in Feb and Mar . The MoH also called for vaccination against diphtheria .
The MoH Signed A Memorandum With The ASCP
The MoH signed the Memorandum with the American Society for Clinical Pathology ( ASCP ), which envisages provision of support to Ukrainian laboratory diagnostics specialists . The ASCP will help Ukrainian specialists to increase knowledge and improve skills on quality management in laboratories . Moreover , the cooperation will promote implementation of international standards in Ukrainian laboratories .
There are more than 5 ths medical laboratories in Ukraine . Only three of them are accredited in accordance with ISO 15189 .
Funding Gap for Orphan Patients to be UAH 1 bn
Patient organization “ Orphan diseases of Ukraine ” appealed the Minister of Finance of Ukraine noting that in 2018 the funding gap for orphan patients will amount UAH 988 mio . According to calculations , funding needs of orphan patients in 2018 amount UAH 1.879 bn , but the State Budget envisages provision of UAH 891.8 mio .
The situation emerged after in 2017 the number of patients with orphan diseases increased but their needs were not taken into account in the State Budget 2018 . Therefore , there is a risk that a lot of patients would not be provided with the needed drugs , medical devises , nutrition etc . The organization insists on the allocation of additional funding .
500 ths Patients Signed Up for Doctor ’ s Appointment Online In 2017
In 2017 above 500 ths patients in Ukraine signed up for doctor ’ s appointment through the Internet or passed online consultation , the press service of the medical information system Helsi reported . In 2017 , clinics located in 8 of 10 districts of Kyiv and some other cities on Ukraine joined the Helsi system , which was created within the eHealth reform . The system is dedicated to simplify the access to health services for patients as well as streamline operation of health institutions .
Currently , Helsi works is 262 outpatient clinics and 64 polyclinics . Above 4800 physicians and 18 ths patients are registered in the system . About 7 ths patients sign up for the appointment though Helsi daily .
Issue 29 Jan 2018 page 08