The World Bank has announced a $454 million support package for Ukraine's health sector through the Transforming Healthcare through Reform and Investments in Efficiency (THRIVE) project. This initiative aims to improve public spending efficiency amid financial challenges due to the ongoing conflict.
THRIVE, developed using the World Bank's Program for Results financing instrument, will assist Ukraine in prioritizing funding within its Program for Medical Guarantees. The project also seeks to enhance the technical and operational capacity of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), support strategic planning, and strengthen management within the health sector.
The THRIVE program's financing includes $449 million in loans from the Japan-supported ADVANCE Ukraine Trust Fund and the World Bank, along with a $5 million grant from the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Trust Fund.
"In the third year of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine is facing severe fiscal stress, making it essential to continue implementing health reforms that improve the efficiency of public funds," stated Robert Saum, World Bank Country Director for Eastern Europe. “The reforms supported by the THRIVE project will help reduce unnecessary financial burdens on patients while enhancing the accessibility and resilience of the health care sector.”
This program is part of a broader international support effort to address Ukraine's financial needs. Other projects include emergency operations across various sectors such as health, education, transport, energy, housing, agriculture, government programs for both private sector development and public administration. These initiatives have been designed flexibly to allow quick disbursement of funds and can be expanded if more financing becomes available.