Medical care for myocardial infarction is one of the priority areas of the Medical Guarantees Program.
In Ukraine, it is provided to patients free of charge: the National Health Service of Ukraine pays for treatment to medical institutions from the state budget. Thus, since the beginning of the year, almost 800 people have received help with acute myocardial infarction in Lviv region.
“In myocardial infarction, the heart muscle is damaged due to an acute blood supply disorder, and the area of the heart muscle that is deprived of blood begins to lose its viability. Therefore, if you notice any of the following symptoms, such as compressive and prolonged pain behind the sternum that radiates to the left shoulder, left arm, lower jaw, heart rate, blood pressure instability, weakness, and a feeling of fear, you should call an ambulance immediately. The ambulance will take the patient to a medical facility that has an appropriate contract with the NHS. The sooner the patient receives the necessary assistance, the higher the chances of recovery and return to a full life,” says Tetiana Kudyk, Director of the Western Interregional Department of the NHSU.
The NHSU pays hospitals more than UAH 25 thousand for providing medical care to a patient with acute myocardial infarction without stenting, and almost UAH 44 thousand with stenting.
What services are covered:
- determination of basic biochemical parameters and specific cardiac blood tests to confirm the diagnosis
- continuous monitoring of the patient’s condition, round-the-clock medical supervision and nursing care, urgent consultations with doctors of other specialties
- conducting the necessary laboratory tests and instrumental studies around the clock;
- emergency catheterization of the coronary arteries of the heart and restoration of the maximum possible blood flow;
- timely pain relief at all stages of diagnosis and treatment, including with narcotic painkillers;
- provision of blood components and preparations around the clock;
- medical care in the ward and/or intensive care unit;
- provision of medicines, in particular, X-ray contrast agents and medical devices for coronary angiography, angioplasty and stenting;
- rehabilitation care in the acute rehabilitation period;
- nutrition.
We would like to add that to receive free heart attack care, a patient does not need a doctor’s referral or even a declaration. This is an emergency condition, and the person will be taken to the nearest medical facility that can provide assistance by an emergency medical team. Medical care is also free in case of self-referral and transfer from another hospital.
Under the relevant package, 5 medical institutions are contracted in the Lviv region, three of which are located in Lviv, one in Drohobych and one in Chervonohrad. You can find the nearest facility contracted under the heart attack package on the NHSU dashboard on the map of contracted service locations with details by service group – select the region (Lviv) and service group (“6 Medical care for acute myocardial infarction”).