Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has appointed Oleksandr Anischenko as Ukraine's new health minister.
A relevant decree was signed on Tuesday and published on the Web site of the head of state.
President Yanukovych, at a meeting with the newly appointed minister, said that reform of the health care system was the most important priority of the government.
"I have high hopes that you as a responsible person will be in charge of this business and will x conduct it confidently. I’m giving you such a chance. I will constantly oversee this issue," the president’s press service cited him as saying.
The president pointed out that the Ukrainian Health Ministry should be headed by a specialist who would skillfully implement reforms in the health care system.
Anischenko, in turn, said he understood how difficult the orders given to him by the president were.
He also said he would make every effort to urgently improve the situation in the healthcare system.
Anischenko had held the post of first deputy health minister since December 2010.
Before that, he served as head of the health department at Donetsk Regional Administration.
The president dismissed former Health Minister Illia Yemets on May 17. Yemets was appointed to the post in December 2010.
