Medical self-government is a global and effective practice, says Mykhaylo Radutskyy, and it was not invented by Ukraine.
“When I met with Kennedy Jr., the current US Secretary of Health and Human Services, he complained that he was fed up with associations because they make their own decisions and he has no influence over them,” said the deputy.
Radutskyy is convinced that Ukraine also needs medical self-government, because the Ministry of Health should not be involved in resolving internal industry issues.
“It’s a paradox: in posts, comments and the media, doctors complain about the Department of Health and the Ministry of Health, saying that they are all bad, that they don’t manage properly. They were offered: take control yourselves, don’t wait for the Ministry of Health to determine whether you are a good neurologist or a bad one. Determine this among neurologists, allow him to practise his profession. Take away the licensing authority,” says Radutskyy.
But the medical community itself, the MP notes, is against this bill. Some professionals do not want the system to be funded by contributions from those who run it, even though no specific amount has yet been discussed. There are quite a few “pseudo-leaders” and international associations in medicine, the MP notes, who will become unnecessary if this law is passed. And they are also exerting pressure, dividing the session hall, complains the head of the relevant committee.
“No matter who you talk to [among the MPs], you hear: ‘No, I won’t vote for this because my doctor in the district says it’s bad.’ And that’s a problem. I don’t think we’ll get either the ministry or the committee on board,” Radutskyy said.
“I would like to thank Health Solutions NGO for their advocacy – without them, everything would be even worse. Advocacy has helped a lot, many people are changing their minds. We even found common ground with European Solidarity party, and they had a lot of comments on this law,” said Radutskyy.
Work on the bill continues, says the deputy, and the parties will seek common ground.
“This law is necessary. Period. And we, as a committee, are ready to compromise. I hope the ministry is too,” said Mykhaylo Radutskyy.
Health Minister Viktor Lyashko called the situation with medical self-government in Ukraine “unique”.
“The issue of self-government in the medical professions always comes up from the bottom. The demand to do this comes from doctors. And we have the feeling that the authorities are forcing them to realise that the time has come to organise themselves,” the minister said.