In Stryi district, a neurologist-psychiatrist at one of the children’s hospitals has been notified of suspicion of obtaining an unlawful benefit for processing documents for a child with a disability. This is reported under the procedural guidance of the Stryi District Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, in July a local resident approached the doctor for an extract from the minutes of the medical advisory commission (LKK) regarding the diagnosis of his 16-year-old daughter. The LKK decision on the need for education under an individual programme made it possible to arrange home tuition with a teacher for the child.
Despite the fact that the procedure is free of charge and the doctor knew about the child’s diagnosis, he stated that it would be impossible to obtain the document without additional payment, and offered his “help” for 2,000 UAH. The father, understanding the importance of the document for his daughter’s education, agreed to the medic’s terms.
A few weeks later, the man again turned to the same doctor to obtain another extract from the LKK minutes – this time for preferential customs clearance of a car that was to be registered as humanitarian aid for a person with a disability. For these services, according to the investigation, the doctor was already demanding 4,000 UAH.
In September, the father approached the doctor for a third time – to have a disability group assigned to the child. Realising that the girl was entitled to have a disability group established, the medic, according to the investigation, nevertheless convinced the man that without his “help” there would be no positive decision. The doctor valued his services at 5,500 UAH. After receiving this amount, he was detained by law enforcement officers under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. In total, the documented sum he received as an unlawful benefit is 11,500 UAH.
The medic has been notified of suspicion of obtaining an unlawful benefit for himself for influencing the decision of a person authorised to perform state functions, combined with demanding such a benefit (Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
“Demanding money for services guaranteed by the state to be free of charge, especially for children, is unacceptable. We will respond as a matter of principle to every such instance, ensuring that those responsible are brought to account in accordance with the law. If you are asked for an unlawful benefit, we urge you to report this to law enforcement agencies immediately,” commented the prosecutor in the proceedings, Petro Kaspryk.
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Stryi District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv region, with operational support provided by the Security Service of Ukraine Directorate in Lviv region.
We remind you that, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime until his or her guilt has been proved in the manner prescribed by law and established by a conviction of the court.