USIF-VII

‘Promotion of Social Infrastructure Development. Improvement of rural basic health. USIF.VII’ Project
 
Implementation period: 2019 – 2024.
Donor: German Government through KfW
Budget: EUR 14,45 mln.
Territory of implementation: Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions, KfW districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions under control of Ukraine as well as other places, identified in agreement between KfW and USIF
Objectives: improvement conditions for provision of primary healthcare services through energy-efficient renovation of primary health care centers, supply of medical  equipment, development of the potential of the Project's focus groups: physicians, heads of medical institutions, officials responsible for managing the sphere of health care in partner communities as well as representatives of health care units at the regional level
On September 22, 2020, USIF Supervisory Board approved a list of 40 subprojects for implementation  (14 - in Dnipropetrovsk region, 9 - in Zaporizhzhia region, 6 - in Kharkiv region, 6 - in Donetsk region and 5 - in Luhansk region).
In the pre-war period, the Project was implemented quite dynamically. Design and cost estimate documentation (DED) was being developed and construction works were being executed in a timely manner, partner medical institutions were being provided with the required equipment, rapid tests and means of personal protection. In mid-February 2022, in particular, laboratory equipment worth € 175 000 was delivered to 18 partner health establishments in addition to the equipment, rapid tests and means of personal protection worth € 360 000 supplied to all partner medical institutions in 2021.
As of February 23, 2022, the design and cost estimate documentation was developed for 37 out of 40 outpatient clinics. Construction works were completed at the objects of 6 subprojects (SPs) and were in progress at the objects of the other 23 SPs.
Last preparations for  implementation of a large-scale training program for managers and doctors of the partner primary health care institutions were approaching to completion.
Numerous measures were taken to ensure efficient work in the areas of environmental and social management and management of asbestos-containing materials. Interested persons can get acquainted with the Project Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
Russian aggression, however, hampered further proper implementation of the Project.
As a result of the security situation assessment and consultations with a donor representative (KfW), USIF Executive Committee in April 2022 came to conclusions about the impossibility of further implementation of 14 subprojects located in  Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions and temporary suspension of  implementation of a number of other subprojects. Therefore, after approval of that  decision by USIF Supervisory Board, the number of SPs for implementation was reduced to 26.
 
The current status of the Project implementation
Objects (buildings and premises of primary care institutions) of 23 SPs, included in the list for implementation under the Project, are renovated.
 A large-scale training program for physicians, heads of medical institutions and officials responsible for managing the sphere of health care in the Project's partner communities is successfully implemented.
In view of availability of the remaining funds under the Project, in agreement with the beneficiary and KfW, the costly equipment for a modern neurosurgical operating room is  purchased and delivered to Kyiv National Children's Hospital ‘Okhmatdyt’.
The released funds are also being used for arranging shelters and carrying out additional works within the framework of implementation of a number of sub-projects.