The police have uncovered schemes involving the embezzlement of over 100 million hryvnias from healthcare facilities
According to the investigation, the total losses exceed 100 million hryvnias and are provisionally estimated at 108.3 million hryvnias. The abuses relate to the implementation of contracts under the Medical Guarantees Programme between the National Health Service of Ukraine and healthcare facilities.
The schemes involved heads of medical institutions, medical directors, department heads, doctors, accountants, entrepreneurs, as well as local officials and affiliated private entities. Some of the suspects acted as part of organised groups. Among them are individuals who have previously been involved in similar proceedings.
The investigation established that the abuses were systematic in nature and linked to the ‘money follows the patient’ funding principle.
The key method involved tampering with the electronic healthcare system. The suspects entered fictitious data on patient numbers, invented complex treatment cases or services that were not actually provided.
They also declared expensive equipment that did not exist and staff who did not meet the requirements. Furthermore, they artificially inflated the volume of medical services and overstated procurement costs.
Standard mechanisms were used across different regions. In particular, they registered fictitious palliative care without actually visiting patients, and wrote off funds for non-existent neonatal or rehabilitation cases.
Some of those involved in the schemes awarded bonuses and allowances to themselves and their associates, or used fictitiously employed staff to siphon off funds. There were also cases where patients were forced to pay for services that had already been paid for by the state.
On 20 March 2026, as part of 26 criminal proceedings, law enforcement officers carried out 70 searches across 18 regions of Ukraine.
During the investigations, computer equipment, servers, data storage devices with access to medical systems, financial documentation, seals, bank cards and cash were seized.
In 12 criminal proceedings, 18 individuals have been notified of suspicion.
The suspects are charged with embezzlement and misappropriation of property, abuse of power or official position, forgery in the course of duty, interference with automated systems, official negligence and the legalisation of proceeds obtained by criminal means.
The penalties carry a maximum sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Law enforcement agencies are continuing to identify all those involved and are investigating their possible involvement in other incidents.
The proceedings are being led by the Office of the Prosecutor General and regional prosecutors’ offices.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
