ANALYSIS OF CORRUPTION RISKS IN THE SPHERE OF HEALTH PROTECTION IN UKRAINE AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF INCREASED BUDGET ALLOCATIONS DURING THE PERIOD OF MARTIAL STATE

Abstract

The article is devoted to studying the specifics of corruption risks in the healthcare sector of Ukraine, where budget allocations were significantly increased under martial law. The introduction of martial law often leads to the redistribution of appropriations for health care in crisis conditions. In particular, in 2024, total expenditures will amount to UAH 239 billion, which is UAH 31 billion more than in 2023 [1]. Special attention is paid to the analysis of expenses for the medical guarantee program (reimbursement programs for reimbursement of the cost of drugs for the treatment of mental and behavioural disorders, transplantation, surgical and burn packages, as well as packages of psychological support and psychiatric care, package of assisted reproductive technologies), centralized procurement of drugs and medical products, procurement of the latest medical equipment, modernization of medical institutions, response system to emergency events in the field of public health. In particular, the article identified and characterized the main channels of potential corruption risks in the healthcare sector that could arise or increase due to increased funding. The author analyzed anti-corruption policy measures that can be applied to prevent abuses in a critical period during martial law. Thus, the article highlighted potential weaknesses in the healthcare system, which may contribute to corruption risks, as there is a certain lack of transparency and control over the use of funds. The author emphasized that in the context of martial law, the usual mechanisms of monitoring and control can be weakened, which leads to the system’s vulnerability to acts of corruption. In particular, procurement of medical equipment or medicines may be carried out without observing tenders’ conditions and standard procedures.