The Verkhovna Rada has restored mandatory officer training for medical and pharmacist students
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved in general, draft law No. 13276, which amends Article 11 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service” regarding the training of reserve officers of the medical service. The initiators were the specialized parliamentary Committee on the Health of the Nation in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
According to the new regulations, all students of higher education institutions (public and private) who are studying in medical and pharmaceutical specialties, who are fit for service in terms of their health and who have passed professional selection, will be required to undergo military training under the program of reserve officers of the medical service.
Previously, since 2006, such training was carried out on a voluntary basis, although before that it was mandatory. The return to mandatory uniform is due to a shortage of reserve medical service officers needed to perform tasks during martial law. The provision of qualified military medical personnel is critical to reducing casualties, mortality and disability, and to speeding up the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
The introduction of mandatory training will significantly expand the reserve of military medical officers. From now on, this training will become an integral part of the educational process for future doctors and pharmacists.
The procedure for organizing the training will be determined by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution at the request of the Ministry of Defense, coordinated with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Science. The list of military accounting specialties and the scope of training will be established by the Ministry of Defense on the basis of the proposals of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and for medical areas – after additional approval with relevant ministries. The law will enter into force on January 1, 2026. Until then, the government and relevant bodies have six months to bring their acts into line with the new requirements.
