Charitable Contributions in Hospitals to Be Prohibited: What Will Replace Them

The Verkhovna Rada will consider initiatives to prohibit charitable contributions in hospitals so that all services provided under the Medical Guarantee Program (MGP) are provided free of charge. This was stated by the head of the Committee on Health of the Nation, Mykhailo Radutskyi, after a meeting with the government, writes Judicial and Legal Newspaper.

When Charitable Contributions Will Be Prohibited in Hospitals

Mykhailo Radutskyi emphasized that the practice of collecting charitable contributions in medical institutions contradicts the principles of MGP, which guarantees free provision of services approved by the state. 

“In most hospitals, patients are still offered to make charitable contributions. I believe there is a clear list of paid services approved by the Ministry of Health. All other services must be provided free of charge under the MGP,” he emphasized. 

The Committee is ready to support legislative changes from the Ministry of Health that will eliminate this problem and increase transparency in the medical field.

What Proposals in the Field of Medicine Were Announced at the Meeting of Parliament and Government

Among other proposals announced at the meeting:

• Return of funds for unprovided MGP services to the medical sector rather than the general budget.

• Introduction of KPIs for family doctors with bonuses for preventive work.

• Transition to grant funding for medical research based on the European model.

• Ensuring adequate funding for programs to combat HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and cancer screening.

What Budget for Medicine is Allocated for 2026

In the draft state budget for 2026, UAH 258 billion is allocated for medicine, which is UAH 38.2 billion more than in 2025. This is the largest increase in the last 7 years. The funds will go towards:

• Increasing the salaries of primary and emergency care doctors to UAH 35,000;

• Expanding the “Affordable Medicines” program;

• Purchasing medications;

• Rehabilitation;

• Psychological support. 

Separate funding of UAH 9.9 billion is allocated for public investment projects, which the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance will detail at the next committee meeting. Planned health checks for persons over 40 years old and the expansion of early diagnosis programs are also planned.

Previously, Radutskyi stated that medical certificates for drivers would become digital.