The draft law on medical self-government has already caused division in the session hall. This is the second version of the bill proposed by the government, but it may not secure enough votes to pass the second reading.
This was stated by Mykhaylo Radutskyy, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance, during the discussion Medical Reform: Change to Survive, held within the framework of the New Country project. He referred to the presence of “pseudo-leaders” in the medical field who understand that, with the adoption of the law, they will become redundant – and that it is therefore more beneficial for them to avoid decision-making than to assume responsibility.
Radutskyy noted a paradox: while doctors criticise governmental control, they are reluctant to take on governance themselves.
“There are not enough votes for it to pass in the second reading. And the paradox in all this is that doctors complain about how bad the Ministry of Health is, how bad the Department of Health is, how bad everyone is, how badly everything is managed. We suggested: friends, take charge, manage yourselves, don’t wait for the Ministry of Health to determine whether you are a good neurologist or a bad neurologist. Decide for yourselves, neurologists, whether he is good or bad – admit him to the profession, take on these powers,” said Radutskyy.
He believes that self-governance is essential and that certain powers of the Ministry of Health should be transferred.
- A year ago, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill on medical self-government in the first reading. According to the bill, all medical professionals will be divided into four chambers: doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and nurses/medical assistants. Each chamber will be granted authority. The chambers will have the power to determine who is granted or stripped of the right to practise medicine, to establish clinical treatment protocols, and to oversee mandatory continuous professional development.
- Medical professionals will be required to join the respective chambers – otherwise, they will not be permitted to practise in Ukraine. They will also be obliged to pay mandatory membership contributions.