Complaints from veterans and journalists: what the Kyiv Local Health and Medical Services Department’s investigation revealed
This was announced by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights.
A representative of the Ombudsman, Olena Kolobrodova, and the Commissioner’s adviser, Oleg Mikats, arrived at the Kyiv Emergency Medical Hospital on a monitoring visit.
The inspection took place following complaints from military personnel and veterans, media reports and concerns raised by civil society organisations regarding conditions at the capital’s medical facility.
During the visit, representatives from the Ombudsman’s Office followed the patient’s journey and conducted an anonymous survey of patients, visitors and hospital staff.
What the survey revealed
According to the Ombudsman’s Office, over 80 per cent of the military personnel and veterans surveyed rated the work of medical staff as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
Furthermore, 92% of respondents reported that they were fully supplied with medication. The hospital provides access to psychological support.
No reports of extortion were recorded among those surveyed.
What patients are complaining about
The main complaints relate to living conditions in the hospital.
According to the monitoring results, the greatest dissatisfaction stems from the quality of food provided by the catering company. Around a third of patients stated that they were categorically dissatisfied with the food.
The inspection also revealed that a significant number of wards, operating theatres and corridors are in need of major refurbishment.
What is the problem with funding?
Separately, the Ombudsman’s Office drew attention to the tariffs set by the National Health Service of Ukraine.
According to the inspection, the current state tariffs do not cover the hospital’s actual costs for some procedures. In particular, 1,200 hryvnias are allocated for a contrast-enhanced CT scan, whilst the actual cost of the procedure is approximately 2.5 times higher.
As a result, according to the Ombudsman’s assessment, the hospital is effectively operating at a loss on each such procedure.
What is wrong with the treatment of serious injuries
The most pressing issue cited was the funding of long-term treatment for seriously wounded servicemen.
Such treatment can last for months, yet the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU) covers it as a single hospitalisation. For extended stays, only a 10 per cent top-up is provided.
The Ombudsman’s Office believes that this model does not reflect the actual costs incurred by healthcare facilities.
Why there is a problem with patients from other regions
The hospital is partly supported by the city’s medicine funding programme.
At the same time, this programme is intended for Kyiv residents, although the Kyiv City Hospital for War Injuries admits wounded servicemen and veterans from all over Ukraine.
The Ombudsman emphasised that the treatment and rehabilitation of defenders should not depend on their place of registration.
What happens next
Based on the monitoring findings, the Ombudsman’s Office is preparing a detailed report with recommendations for the government, the relevant ministry and local authorities.
Dmytro Lubinets stated that a change in management will not resolve systemic problems unless the financial mechanisms for the treatment of servicemen and veterans are reviewed.
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