Medics removed from exemption will be enlisted in Armed Forces under 1-year contract – Liashko
Medics removed from exemption will be drafted into the Armed Forces under a one-year contract and will serve only in medical positions.
This was announced by Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.
"In this algorithm, we conclude a contract for one year, a person understands that he or she will be reassigned, serve, work as a medic in the Armed Forces for one year exclusively in a medical position, and return in a year," the minister said.
Liashko said that the Defense Ministry is currently preparing a comprehensive issue of demobilization of medical personnel.
"We want to replace medical workers in the ranks of the Armed Forces on a rotational basis, so that they serve for a year and return, and we use this mechanism to recruit new medical workers," he explained.
De-exemption of medics will be based on the current situation in the region, so as not to reduce the provision of medical services.
"The mechanism is designed to find a balance that will satisfy both the Armed Forces and civilian hospitals. We will update the lists every month and see what is happening. Our key task is to ensure that highly specialized and highly qualified personnel get to where they are needed. We would not want cardiac and thoracic surgeons to be sent to medical battalions, because they are needed where they will operate and save lives," said the Health Minister.
Liashko emphasized that private medical institutions "work the way state and municipal institutions used to work, that is, they have the right to be recognized as critical for the economy of our country and to be exempted by 50% of men liable for military service."
"If they want more than 50%, they must provide proper justification. And then, in each case, we will consider whether they should be given a higher percentage of reservations than the 50% specified by the standards," he said.
Liashko emphasized that if a conscripted medic "wants to be a shooter, it should be his voluntary consent, there is no problem with that." In addition, he emphasized that "female doctors can voluntarily agree to be de-exempted."
