77 MSEC officials have been caught on bribery since the beginning of the year: HEALTH MINISTRY

Since the beginning of 2024, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have exposed 77 officials involved in corruption crimes in the medical and social examination system (MSEK), and also discovered the activities of 7 criminal groups among the representatives of these commissions. About this reported in the Ministry of Health after the meeting of Minister Viktor Lyashko with representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine and heads of the MSEK, which took place on October 11.

The Ministry of Health also reported that in cooperation with law enforcement officers, about 19,000 medical expert cases were checked.

“We can all see the results of this cooperation recently in the mass media in the form of reports about the detention and handing over of suspects”, the ministry emphasized.

This meeting was a continuation of the discussion on reforming the MSEK system, which began on October 10 with public activists. During the discussion, a new draft law was presented, which provides for systemic changes in the work of medical and social expertise. The initiative includes amendments to 27 laws and codes of Ukraine.

The main changes relate to the digitization of processes in MSEK, which should significantly reduce the risks of corruption. The use of the electronic health care system (EHS) will become mandatory for decision-making by the commission, which will allow control of all stages of decision-making and prevent possible abuses.

Key innovations include:

• Examinations will be conducted in cluster and supercluster hospitals, where there are all the necessary specialists and opportunities for additional examinations.
• Referral for examination will be made on the basis of clear criteria confirmed through the electronic health care system (EHR).
• Electronic referral for examination is being introduced.
• Family or attending physicians will be able to independently refer patients for examination, without the need to involve medical advisory commissions.
• When making a decision, the commission will take into account the data obtained during rehabilitation, and the commission will be able to refer patients to additional examinations.
• A special patient needs assessment tool is being developed, which will also be used in other areas.
• The mechanism of financing examinations is being updated: funds for conducting assessments will be allocated through a separate budget program and will be paid by the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSHU).