Ukrainian Health Service Halts Hospital Payments Over Doctor Moonlighting Violations

Funding Suspended for Medical Institutions

According to Главком: The National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) has suspended payments to medical institutions that failed to provide proper justifications for their doctors holding positions at multiple facilities. This action resulted from an automated monitoring system the NHSU launched to track healthcare personnel working concurrent jobs. While most medical providers submitted the required explanations, a number of them did not comply, leading to the funding freeze. This move is part of broader efforts to curb financial abuse within Ukraine's state-funded healthcare system, which has faced increased scrutiny since the full-scale invasion.

The NHSU has sent letters to the founders of the medical institutions, the Ministry of Health, and local authorities, stressing the importance of adhering to the justification requirements. Natalia Husak, an NHSU representative, stated:

'We launched an automated monitoring system regarding personnel who hold concurrent positions at multiple healthcare providers. Specific algorithms clearly flag if the same individual is working at several institutions. A key question for us is identifying their primary place of employment, as we cross-reference this with the requirements of our medical service procurement contracts.' Natalia Husak, NHSU representative

Audits of Medical Facilities

In a related development, the State Audit Service of Ukraine has conducted inspections at medical facilities operating under the state-guaranteed medical care program and holding contracts with the NHSU. These audits, covering the period from 2023 to 2025, revealed that certain hospitals illegally received 242.7 million hryvnias from the state budget for services that were not fully rendered. These findings underscore the critical need for tighter control and transparency in the funding of Ukraine's healthcare institutions.

The NHSU's initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing transparency and accountability within Ukraine's healthcare system. Enforcing rules on justifying doctors' employment can help prevent financial misuse in medical service funding. As oversight of public funds becomes increasingly vital, the State Audit Service's results highlight the necessity for continued efforts to ensure the efficiency and legality of financial expenditures in the medical sector.