Ukraine could lift draft exemptions for some medical workers and mobilize them into the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) to meet military needs, Health Minister Viktor Liashko said during a legislative session on Friday, May 15.
Liashko made the remarks after lawmaker Inna Sovsun from the Holos party asked whether the government planned to revise the current system under which most doctors are exempt from mobilization.
Sovsun said some military doctors had spent years on the front line without rotation because there were not enough available replacements, as civilian doctors remained protected from mobilization.
Why were medical workers exempted?
Liashko said the exemptions were originally introduced to ensure Ukraine’s healthcare system could continue functioning during wartime, including treating wounded soldiers in both military and civilian hospitals.
“As minister, I must ensure medical care for everyone who needs it across the entire territory of our country,” Liashko said.
At the same time, he said the Health Ministry works closely with the Defense Ministry and the Medical Forces Command regarding requests for medical personnel.
“On every request where there is a need to remove exemptions, a multidisciplinary team works with the participation of the Defense Ministry, the Health Ministry, and the relevant regions from which we remove medical workers’ exemptions so they can join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Liashko said.
He did not specify how many medical workers could potentially lose their exemptions or when changes might take effect.
In Ukraine, most medical workers employed in public healthcare system are eligible for draft exemptions, known as “reservation” status, allowing them to avoid mobilization while continuing civilian medical work during wartime. The system was introduced to ensure hospitals and emergency medical services could continue functioning amid Russia’s full-scale invasion, particularly as civilian hospitals also treat large numbers of wounded soldiers.
On May 1, the Ministry of Defense said Ukraine is preparing a major reform of its military service system, including higher pay, expanded contracts, and future demobilization plans. According to the new reform, minimum monthly pay for rear positions would be set at no less than Hr.30,000 (about $675), with significantly higher compensation for combat roles.
The reform also provides for contractual payments for infantry around Hr.250,000-400,000 ($5,600-9,050) while the contract system will be expanded to introduce clearer service terms and rotation rules.
Before the proposed reform, base pay for Ukrainian servicemembers was reported to start at around Hr.20,000 ($450) for rear positions, with additional combat bonuses bringing frontline compensation to approximately Hr.100,000 ($2,250) per month, according to previous official government statements and military pay guidelines.