Medical corruption in Odessa: doctor demanded bribe for disability certification

The National Police of the Odessa region uncover corruption in medical institution

The National Police of the Odessa region have uncovered a case of corruption in one of the city’s medical institutions. An employee of this institution offered to help a local resident obtain disabled status, as he wanted it due to numerous illnesses. She promised to influence the members of the medical commission for a bribe of $1800. The doctor has been charged with accepting a bribe in exchange for influencing the decision. She faces up to five years in prison.

Previous cases of medical corruption in the region

This is not the first case of medical corruption in the region. Several months ago, law enforcement officers discovered that the head of the neurosurgery department and a neurosurgeon at one of the clinical hospitals in Odessa were taking bribes from patients in exchange for surgeries. $250,000 was found in their office. These funds were allegedly collected from all hospital departments and transferred to local authorities.

In the city clinical hospital, medical staff offered those evading the Ukrainian army draft to buy their way out with money. Such funds made up a large part of the hospital management’s earnings. When the medical staff tried to accept a bribe for a life-saving operation, they were exposed.