Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has passed at first reading a bill improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in rural areas submitted by the Ukrainian president.

An Interfax-Ukraine correspondent has reported that a total of 258 lawmakers backed bill No. 7117 on Thursday.

According to the document, the involvement of qualified medical personnel as a priority for reforming the health care system provides for the provision of medical care employees with free housing and transport, as well as the creation of opportunities for education and professional development.

The bill suggests that the development of the telecommunications infrastructure is also of priority, including providing rural healthcare institutions with broadband Internet access and software for the functioning of the electronic healthcare system and introduction of telemedicine, previously announced by the president.

In accordance with the bill, telemedicine is defined as a set of actions, technologies and measures used in the provision of health care using remote communication tools for the exchange of information in electronic form. It includes consulting, diagnostic services, as well as treatment using remote communication tools, including electronic messages and videoconferences.

Telemedicine services are provided by identification of authorship of electronic messages and documents, as well as confidentiality and integrity of medical information.

The bill provides for telemedicine consultations, as well as telemetry, during which specialized sensors fix biometric indicators of the patient, which are subsequently evaluated by special software and hardware.

The telemedicine services are provided in compliance with the healthcare standards, clinical protocols and logistic tables.

These services are provided to the patient only in case of his consent. Patient's consent means receiving of information about the goals, methods, expected results and possible risks associated with the collection, creation, transfer, exchange of medical information and documents used during telemedicine. In this case, the consent to receive the patient's services should be documented and brought to all participants in the process.

The procedure for granting consent is determined by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

The telemedicine services are provided and medical information is exchanged using telemedicine portals that comply with the required level of information protection, ensure systematizing and automating the provision of medical care. Requirements for the portal of telemedicine, as well as the procedure for its functioning are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

In addition, the bill provides for the development of transport infrastructure, in particular, the creation of conditions for the use of motor, air and water vehicles, including those equipped with resuscitation equipment.

As reported, amendments in Ukraine's national budget for 2017 provide for UAH 4 billion for activities aimed at developing medicine in rural areas.