Ukraine’s Health Ministry has called on presidential candidates not to spread fake news about reforming the health care system.
“The Ministry of Health of Ukraine warns politicians, in particular presidential candidates, against spreading fakes and disinformation. In an interview with the RBC.ua-Ukraine ezine published on April 18, showman and presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy demonstrated lack of awareness about the work of the emergency service and the launch of the transformation of health care,” the ministry said in a message published to its website. Zelenskiy said ambulances do not respond to phone calls, which the ministry said is false.
“Now the ambulance does not arrive, and my child has 39-, and even if 37-degree fever, and there is grandmother with a granddaughter, her heart will stop, and the ambulance will not go to her help because we have such a reform,” Zelenskiy said in the interview.
The ministry said the concept of changes in the health system was developed by experts back in 2014. Before launching the transformation of the health system and submitting the draft law to the Verkhovna Rada of the Ministry of Health held a series of consultations with stakeholders (patients, doctors, heads of medical institutions, local governments, local administrations) in all regions of the country.
“Ambulances respond to phone calls,” the ministry said, adding, “The Health Ministry stresses that the transformation of the emergency system is focused on ensuring that all Ukrainians in critical condition receive quality assistance as soon as possible.”
