Ukraine needs to increase public funding for the healthcare system, Head of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine Jarno Habicht has said.

"We see… the health needs are increasing due to ongoing war… So I see that there is need to invest more to health, there is need to have more public funding, because if we don't have more public funding available, supporting every Ukrainian, then the other alternative is that people need to pay for their care themselves. And as Ukrainians and people are becoming more vulnerable," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Habicht noted the increasing needs due to the challenges and mental health needs facing Ukrainians, due to chronic diseases due to delayed care in the event of a stroke or heart attack. In turn, untimely assistance increases the need for rehabilitation.

At the same time, he emphasized the need to use the resources allocated to the country's healthcare system in a good and transparent manner.