On 16 October 2023, WHO issued a report titled “Primary health care financing in Ukraine: a situation analysis and policy considerations”. As reported by WHO-Europe, this report delves into the current state of primary health care (PHC) financing in Ukraine and presents 5 policy recommendations to enhance health outcomes, optimize public spending and increase value for money. WHO recommendations include:
- strengthening the PHC service delivery system
- ensuring access to a comprehensive and affordable PHC service package for everyone
- securing adequate funding and priority for PHC in budget allocation
- redesigning and resourcing PHC provider payments
- using contracting mechanisms to strengthen PHC service delivery.
“Ukraine is making significant strides in expanding PHC amid the war. Recent health financing reforms have prioritized strengthening PHC, introducing measures to increase services and improve quality, including on: implementing a PHC service package within the Program of Medical Guarantees (PMG) definition; ensuring patient choice and provider autonomy expansion; and implementing the Affordable Medicines Programme.
These reforms have led to a robust PHC-centred system in the country. Now, the new WHO policy paper, “Primary health care financing in Ukraine: a situation analysis and policy considerations”, puts forward a series of recommendations to take these reforms further” stated WHO news release.
WHO reported there was a national policy dialogue meeting on 8 November 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine, where representatives of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Parliamentary Health Care Committee, primary care facilities, professional associations, development partners, and patient and civil society organizations reviewed the action points outlined in this document. Participants reached a consensus on defining priorities for the upcoming years based on this study.
This study received technical assistance from WHO under the Biennial Collaborative Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the WHO Regional Office for Europe 2022–2023, as well as financial support from the Government of Canada.
The document is available here in English.
