Ukraine to Double Cancer Care Funding by 2026 Compared to 2021 Levels

Funding Cancer Care in Ukraine

According to Міністерство Здоров'я: By 2026, Ukraine plans to allocate more than twice the amount of funding for oncology services within its Medical Guarantees Program compared to 2021. This significant increase, exceeding 7.5 billion UAH, includes 845 million UAH dedicated specifically to instrumental diagnostics for early cancer detection. Health Minister Viktor Lyashko announced these developments during the 2026 Lviv Oncology Forum, where a new screening center aimed at early cancer diagnosis was inaugurated.

Recent years have seen Ukrainian cancer centers equipped with 21 linear accelerators, along with state-of-the-art MRI and CT scanners, greatly enhancing the quality of both diagnosis and treatment. In 2024, the government adopted the National Strategy for Malignant Neoplasm Control through 2030, underscoring its commitment to advancing oncology care nationwide.

The 2026 Lviv Oncology Forum

The forum gathered leaders and teams from oncology centers across Ukraine, highlighting the critical role of collaboration and knowledge exchange in the fight against cancer. A key highlight was the launch of a new screening center hosted by cancer.lviv.ua, which offers a comprehensive range of services including:

• Mammography rooms
• Gynecological consultations
• Mammologist services
• Ultrasound diagnostics
• Dermatology
• Cytology
• HPV vaccination

The center currently operates two mammography units, with a third recently provided through a Ukrainian-French partnership.

Daily screening capacity is planned for at least 40 mammograms, with potential to increase to 60. The center focuses on individuals without a confirmed cancer diagnosis, maintaining separate patient flows for preventive screenings and those undergoing treatment.

“For patients, government policies matter only when they translate into concrete support: timely diagnostics, access to necessary treatments and medications, comfortable conditions, and no out-of-pocket payments for services already covered by the state.” – Viktor Lyashko

These initiatives demonstrate Ukraine’s substantial strides toward enhancing oncology care, which is expected to improve patient outcomes and reduce cancer incidence rates. The opening of the new screening center in Lviv, combined with the significant rise in oncology funding, marks a pivotal step in early detection and treatment-essential factors for effective cancer management. Such efforts align with the National Strategy for Malignant Neoplasm Control and lay the groundwork for continued advancement of medical services in Ukraine.