Mykhailo Radutskyi, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, has travelled to Spain under the pretext of an ‘off-site meeting’ and an exchange of expertise. Accompanying him on this overseas trip is Serhiy Kuzminykh, a member of the same committee, which is why the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) was once again unable to hold a hearing in his case.
MP Serhiy Kuzminykh, who is suspected of abuse of influence during the procurement of medical equipment, did not appear at the latest hearing at the HACC. According to official data, the MP is on leave and on an official business trip to Spain together with the head of the relevant committee, Mykhailo Radutskyi. As a result, the court has once again postponed consideration of the case.
The official purpose of the MPs’ visit to the European country has been stated as an ‘off-site meeting’ and the study of international experience in the field of healthcare. To date, the Committee on Public Health has not provided any public clarification regarding the detailed programme of the visit or its sources of funding.
The trip abroad by the leadership of the relevant committee has sparked a wave of criticism among the public. Opponents and civil society activists point out that, since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the committee chair has not once visited the front lines to assess military medical care.
Critics emphasise the need to prioritise domestic issues facing Ukrainian hospitals, where healthcare reform and the quality of care provided to wounded servicemen remain critical issues. In particular, there is growing public demand for Mykhailo Radutskyi to issue a public report on the committee’s achievements during his tenure.
Background to the case: Serhiy Kuzminykh is suspected of receiving undue benefits in exchange for facilitating the winning of tenders for the procurement of medical equipment for hospitals. The case is currently before the High Anti-Corruption Court, although court hearings are regularly postponed for various reasons.