The head of the State Defense Department of the Ministry of Defense, Oksana Sukhorukova, announced her dismissal
Oksana Sukhorukova, Director of the Department of Health Protection (DOH) of the Ministry of Defense announced on dismissal from office. Before that, for several months, activists called on the Ministry of Defense to cancel the reorganization of the department, which could lead to her resignation.
“Today I am leaving the position of director. What will happen next with the department? I don’t know. Dmytro Samofalov was introduced to us as the new leader. During the last three weeks, we involved Dmytro in all processes. I hope that he will succeed”Sukhorukova noted.
The Department of Health was established in the Ministry of Defense in November 2023. It was headed by Oksana Sukhorukova, who previously worked at the Ministry of Health and participated in the launch of the medical reform. The main task of the department is the formation of state policy in the field of health care of military personnel, the implementation of NATO medical standards, as well as the coordination of the interaction of military and civilian health care systems.
After a year of work, the department’s team was informed of a change in the organizational structure. Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov decided to replace the director’s civilian position with a military one from January 31, which was the reason for Sukhorukova’s dismissal.
The department called such changes inexpedient and addressed the minister with a letter stating:
“In case of dismissal of Oksana Sukhorukova, the team will not be able to effectively perform its duties, therefore it does not consider future participation in the work of the Department.”
Dmytro Samofalov, who previously worked as deputy director of the Odesa Regional Center for Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine, and later headed the Southern Interregional Department of the National Health Service of Ukraine, was appointed to Sukhorukova’s place.
