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Viktor Lyashko

Viktor Lyashko

1980 – born in the village of Osova, Dubrovytskyi District, Rivne Region.
2003 – graduated from Bogomolets National Medical University, specialising in preventive medicine.
2018–2019 – served as First Deputy Director General of the Centre for Public Health at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
2020–2021 – served as Chief Medical Officer (2020–2021) and Deputy Minister of Health.
2021 – became Minister of Health of Ukraine.

In 2020, he gained widespread recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic as Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Minister, overseeing the rollout of the vaccination programme.

He worked within the public health and epidemiological service and headed the NGO ‘Infection Control in Ukraine’.
He is involved in healthcare reform, digitalisation and infection control.
He supports the development of transplantology in Ukraine and the legalisation of medical cannabis.
Retained his position as minister during the government reshuffle in 2025.

Position: Minister of Health of Ukraine since 20 May 2021

Official profiles/sources:

Ministry of Health official website: https://moz.gov.ua/uk
Ministry of Health Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/moz.ukr/
Viktor Lyashko’s personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/viktor.liashko/

Viktor Lyashko was born in 1980 in a small village in the Rivne region; he rose from being a medical student and rural doctor to become a minister leading the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and a full-scale war.

Impact:

Throughout her career, Lyashko has actively shaped healthcare policy, implementing reforms such as the digitisation of medical reports and investment projects in the regions.

As a member of the National Security and Defence Council, she continues to influence strategic decisions, balancing crises and innovation.

Key responsibilities and powers:

Viktor Lyashko is responsible for formulating and implementing state policy in the field of healthcare, combating epidemics (COVID-19), reforming the medical system, rehabilitation, blood donation and the restoration of medical facilities under martial law.

Ministry of Health leadership: Viktor Lyashko heads the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MOH), shaping state policy in the areas of healthcare, public health and epidemic control.
Military medicine and reconstruction: Organisation of medical care during martial law, reconstruction of damaged and destroyed medical facilities, and development of the rehabilitation system.
Combating epidemics: Lyashko continues to focus on issues of vaccination, hospitalisation and monitoring of the epidemic situation (in particular, COVID-19).
Healthcare system reform: Continuing the transformation of the system, including reform of primary healthcare and improving the quality of medical education.

Positions

Lyashko supports healthcare reform.

He is working to expand the ‘Affordable Medicines’ programme.

He is actively working to establish a mental health support system at the community level.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Health is introducing national health screening to prevent disease and strengthen financial protection for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Lyashko did not intend to resign following the scandals at the Medical and Social Expertise Commission (MSEC) in 2024–2025, asserting that the reform of the system is ongoing.

FAQ

What is the Ministry of Health currently working on?

The Ministry of Health is currently actively implementing a transparent performance evaluation system (replacing the MSEC), strengthening control over medicine prices, and reforming the quality control system through e-prescriptions. European integration and the digitisation of medical data are continuing.

What is Viktor Lyashko’s main priority?

Ensuring biosecurity, overcoming the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and modernising medical infrastructure. He also pays significant attention to the creation of a unified medical space.