In Odesa, 64 million hryvnias were cut from the rehabilitation and medical examination budgets

In Odesa, 70.9 million hryvnias were reallocated as part of the city’s “Health” targeted program for 2024–2029. The funds will be used, in particular, to pay for utilities, patient meals, and the purchase of medications not covered by the National Health Service of Ukraine.

This was announced during a meeting of the Odesa City Council’s executive committee on September 28.

In total, the city is reallocating 70 million 900 thousand hryvnias. The bulk of the funds is being reallocated from areas where, according to a representative of the Department of Health, the need for funding from the city budget has decreased.

Specifically:

• 20,600,000 hryvnias—from funding medical commissions and examinations of citizens for fitness for military service. It was explained at the meeting that these services are currently paid for by the National Health Service of Ukraine;
• 6,800,000 hryvnias—from the purchase of supplies for the Center for Reconstructive Maxillofacial Surgery;
• an additional 43,500,000 hryvnias — from the rehabilitation services development budget line. The department explained that renovation work has not yet been completed, so there is currently no need to purchase the planned equipment.

The freed-up funds are planned to be used to cover the expected increase in utility rates, timely payments for meals, and the purchase of medications not covered by the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU).

Separately, during the meeting, council members asked whether funds were being taken away from the city’s children’s homes. A representative of the Department of Health assured them that, as part of this reallocation, funding for children’s homes is not being reduced.

The Department of Finance explained that some children’s homes already have contracts with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU), so the city continues to pay for utilities and provide co-funding. At the same time, one of the council members noted that not all facilities have yet fully contracted with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU), and some children may not qualify for the relevant funding packages.

City officials also noted that funds to pay off the tax debts of medical institutions were not included in this reallocation. According to them, the issue of debt will be resolved through the courts.

The executive committee approved the decision to amend the “Health” program with 10 votes in favor; one member of the executive committee abstained.

Андрій Колісніченко