OREANDA-NEWS. March 26, 2012. There are funds foreseen in the 2012 State Budget to increase salaries to medical employees, President Viktor Yanukovych said, speaking in front of the Zaporizhzhya Regional Children's Hospital staff.

The President noted that for example, the average salary of a high-category surgeon would increase by 861 hryvnyas or 31%. Other categories of medical employees will be increased salaries too, he said. According to the President, the trend would continue in the following years. "Every year, we will be increasing salaries in healthcare and education. It is our duty and responsibility," said Viktor Yanukovych.

Among the priority goals of healthcare reform Viktor Yanukovych also named improving medical employees’ social protection and the prestige of their profession.

Speaking about the specific problems in Zaporizhzhya region, the President called for giving special attention to solving environmental problems by implementing targeted government programs.