Health needs assessment of the adult population in Ukraine: survey report: April 2024

Overview

The ongoing full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation continues to exert unprecedented pressure on all aspects of public life in Ukraine. Despite the significant negative impact of the war, the findings indicate that the country’s health system remains resilient, and that access to health services is good. This study examines the access to primary health care facilities and family doctors in Ukraine as of April 2024, with a focus on internally displaced persons (‎IDPs)‎ and frontline regions. Eight per cent of households reported no access to primary health care. Seven per cent lack a signed declaration with a family doctor, and 23% have changed their family doctor since the war began, primarily due to dissatisfaction or relocation. Access to health services remains high, although 54% of respondents needed medical assistance recently, with 65% facing problems and 10% unable to obtain needed services. Almost all households faced issues obtaining medicines, primarily due to price increases. Awareness of Ukraine’s Affordable Medicines Programme is low. IDPs and residents of frontline regions face greater challenges in accessing health care, with IDPs particularly affected by the lack of knowledge about health-care facilities and higher rates of unmet medical needs.