Izmail deputies approve termination of lease of premises of the infectious diseases department of the district hospital

Deputies of the Izmail City Council unanimously supported the decision to terminate the lease agreement with the Central District Hospital of the Safianivka Village Council for the premises in Izmail, where the infectious diseases department is located.

This was reported by an Intent correspondent.

Before the vote, Izmail Mayor Andriy Abramchenko read out an appeal from the staff of the infectious diseases department. The doctors stated that they are not against the reforms, but insist on maintaining the stability of the work and the staff.

The appeal also mentions the risks of an atmosphere of uncertainty. The healthcare workers also called for a step-by-step implementation of the reforms.

"Any changes should be made in a balanced manner, step by step, and taking into account the opinions of those who work directly with patients. We are open to dialogue and joint search for solutions, but the priority should remain a person, his or her health and safety," the statement reads.

Prospects for infectious diseases

The mayor warned that the lease agreement will be terminated after the end of martial law and four months from the moment it is lifted. After that, it is planned to create a new infectious disease department as part of the Izmail City Central Hospital. Preparations for the formation of the new department are envisaged in the city program "Health of Izmail" for 2026.

The city council emphasizes that the reorganization involves staff retention. The medical staff is promised improved remuneration, social protection, strengthening of the material and technical base, and improved quality of services. Also, during the transition period, the city's central hospital should ensure the continuity of care for infectious patients.

Position of the city authorities

During the session, representatives of the city authorities provided a number of arguments in favor of the decision. One of them is the cluster status of the Izmail City Central Hospital, which the medical facility received in 2023 and is currently the only one in the region. Last year, the hospital signed a three-year contract with the NHSU for 24 packages of medical services. It is the cluster status that gives the right to take such a step.

The city council explains the need to return the building of the infectious diseases department by legislative changes. They refer to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine's November 2025 amendments to the resolution "Some issues of organizing a capable network of health care facilities" of February 28, 2023. According to the innovations, the provision of care for infectious diseases is carried out at the level of cluster hospitals or higher. As Andriy Abramchenko explained, this means that full-fledged infectious disease departments with appropriate equipment and specialists should function in cluster-type institutions, which the Central District Hospital of the Safianivka Village Council is not. The building at 3 Tykhyi Street, with an area of almost 4,800 square meters, is owned by the city. The lease agreement with the district hospital was signed in 2021. At the same time, the city council exempted the institution from rent. According to the authorities, as of February 2026, the amount of benefits amounted to about UAH 4 million. In addition, in November 2022, the agreement was extended for the period of martial law.

Reaction of the management of the Central District Hospital

At the same time, the decision of the city council caused concern among the management of the district hospital. After all, the medical institution is left without modernized and renovated premises. Central District Hospital Director General Oleh Sadkovsky said that he speaks not only as the head of the medical institution, but also as a resident of Izmail who uses local medical services. He reminded that the city had previously seized the buildings of the dermatology and venereology inpatient department and the TB dispensary from the district hospital, which, according to him, have since lost their purpose and are in a state of disrepair.

According to Mr. Sadkovsky, the staff of the infectious diseases department created modern facilities on their own, carried out repairs, purchased equipment, oxygen stations, generators, and equipped the intensive care unit. The total investment, according to his estimates, exceeds UAH 20 million. He also recalled the role of doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of intestinal infections and seasonal diseases, as well as their support for the Ukrainian military.

Thus, according to the decision adopted by the deputies, after the end of martial law and a certain transition period, the property will be transferred to the Izmail City Central Hospital to create its own infectious diseases department.

PHOTO: Andriy Abramchenko, Oleh Sadkovsky/Facebook.

Антоніна Лубченко