Ukraine's Finance Ministry is ready to support amendments to legislation aimed at reforming the healthcare system and introducing the mechanism of "money follows the patient," Deputy Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said at a briefing on Wednesday.

"First there should be an initiative and the desire to make changes. Then we should find possibilities to adapt legislation. I do not think that we have a 'sacred cow' in the form of legislation that cannot be touched. We have been waiting for changes for God knows how many years. The Finance Ministry is ready to start these changes. This is one of the most conservative ministries. After working in it for four months I can say this: the Finance Ministry is ready to make changes. The only thing is cooperation with the Health Ministry. We are ready to work on the "money follows the patient" principle jointly with the Health Ministry and we are ready to come with joint initiatives," he said.

Deputy Health Minister Pavlo Kovtoniuk said that it is realistic to introduce the "money follows the patient" principle.

"We have a rare chance and good constructive relations with the Finance Ministry. We have understanding and support from the prime minister to start the 'money follows the patient' principle gradually from 2017 starting from the primary level," he said.

Kovtoniuk added that the "money follows the patient" principle would be introduced at the secondary level from 2018, reaching hospital care, and switch to the principle in three years.

Kovtoniuk pointed out responsibility of local authorities for the implementation of the project.

"[Local authorities] should make their institutions attractive for patients. They should invest. Local authorities should not think how doctors treat, it is not their business. Their competence is how clinics pay for utilities services and other things. The state is obliged to take care of medicine and the guaranteed purchase of medical care," he said.