Poltava Regional Hospital Management Suspected of Misconduct Resulting in 11.5 Million UAH in Losses

In March 2026, law enforcement officials announced that they had issued suspicions against the chief physician of the municipal enterprise "Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital named after M.V. Sklifosovsky" as well as two ophthalmologists. This development follows an investigation that revealed instances of abuse of office and complicity, resulting in damages totaling over 11.5 million UAH. The information was disclosed by the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the head of the medical institution organized an illegal scheme to obtain funding from the National Health Service of Ukraine for services that were not eligible for payment. Specifically, this involved operations for the implantation of intraocular lenses, which, according to the Medical Guarantees Program, should be provided to patients free of charge. However, evidence from the investigation indicates that patients were coerced into purchasing lenses with their own funds due to a lack of necessary materials. Simultaneously, the hospital's reports indicated that these lenses were provided free of charge, which constitutes a serious violation.

The investigation documented over a thousand instances in which patients were forced to pay for lens implantation, despite the fact that these services were supposed to be free under the law. The scheme operated from August 2025 for approximately seven months, indicating a systematic nature of the abuses perpetrated by the hospital's management.

The actions of the suspects have been classified under part 2 of Article 364 (abuse of power or office) and part 5 of Article 27 (complicity) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the legislation, preventive measures have already been chosen for them, reflecting the seriousness of the situation and the potential consequences for the suspects.

This case has sparked significant public outcry, as abuses in the medical sector not only cause financial harm but also undermine trust in Ukraine's healthcare system. In a context where medical services are supposed to be accessible and free for the population, such cases necessitate thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible.

Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate this case to uncover all circumstances and hold accountable all those involved in the abuses. The public hopes for justice and the restoration of trust in Ukraine's medical system, which has recently faced numerous challenges and issues.