The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the procedure and conditions for granting a subvention to local budgets for measures aimed at developing the health care system in rural areas, and distributed UAH 4 billion between the regions for their implementation.

The respective resolution was adopted at a government meeting on Wednesday, December 6.

The subvention is aimed at the implementation projects on the construction, reconstruction, overhaul of municipal health institutions in rural areas, the acquisition of medical equipment, the development of telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband Internet access and the provision of facilities with modern technical and information software tools.

In addition, the allocated funds will be used to provide housing and transport to doctors working in rural areas.

At the same time, according to the terms of granting the subvention, the plan for measures to improve the provision of medical care in rural areas should not exceed two years.

State regional administrations, within a month after the entry into force of the resolution, must submit proposals to the Ministry for Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities Services of Ukraine on draft measures. To consider these proposals, the Regional Development Ministry should create a commission, which should include representatives of the Ukrainian Health Ministry.

The remaining funds are kept in the accounts of the special budget of local budgets for target expenditures in 2018.

Regional administrations submit information every month on the use of the subvention in the context of facilities and activities to the Regional Development Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

As reported, in mid-November, the Verkhovna Rada adopted at second reading and as a whole the presidential bill (No. 7117) on improving the accessibility and quality of medical services in rural areas, which foresees the development of telemedicine, the construction of about 4,000 modern outpatient clinics.

Amendments in Ukraine's national budget for 2017 provide for UAH 4 billion for activities aimed at developing medicine in rural areas. The draft budget for 2018 envisages UAH 1 billion more.