Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Mykola Tomenko thinks that healthcare establishments can be downsized and reorganized only by consent of the territorial communities.
M. Tomenko claimed that many hospitals have lately been closed, ineffectively downsized or reorganized despite the constitutional provisions which prohibit a cutback in the number of state-owned and municipal healthcare establishments. The Deputy Chairman informed that he and people?s deputy Serhii Shevchuk registered the bill on amendments to article 16 of the law of Ukraine "On Healthcare Fundamentals of Ukraine" (re reorganization of healthcare establishments) to protect the constitutional right for healthcare, and high-quality, competent, and timely medical care.
According to M. Tomenko, the bill allows downsizing, reorganization or closure of a municipal healthcare establishment only by consent of the territorial community (public meeting) of the village, township or town, or on the basis of the local referendum.
Amendments to article 16 of the law of Ukraine "On Healthcare Fundamentals of Ukraine" will allow territorial communities to influence downsizing, reorganization or closure of the municipal healthcare establishments. Moreover, they will strengthen public control over the activities of the executive authorities, and prevent unjustified closure of hospitals.