FORMULATING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE MECHANISMS OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IMPLEMENTATION IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article reveals the conceptual foundations for improving the mechanisms of public-private partnership (PPP) implementation in Ukraine’s healthcare sector, taking into account systemic disparities and contemporary challenges. It has been established that structural and staffing imbalances in the national healthcare system, particularly the shortage of qualified professionals, negatively affect the quality and accessibility of medical services. The study found that the technological backwardness of the material and technical base of public medical institutions hinders the introduction of innovative treatment technologies, which necessitates attracting off-budget investments. The importance of introducing motivational tools for medical workers is emphasized to prevent the outflow of personnel abroad. It is underlined that the effective implementation of PPP models in healthcare makes it possible to preserve public ownership of strategic infrastructure while ensuring its modernization. It is stated that the involvement of private partners improves the quality of healthcare management, enables the application of results-oriented approaches, and ensures more flexible responses to patient needs. The article points out that insufficient regulatory support, vague contract procedures, and the lack of a unified methodology complicate large-scale PPP implementation in the medical field. It is noted that national strategic documents — particularly the Human Development Strategy and the E-Health Concept — form a normative basis for PPP development, emphasizing the need for decentralization and digitalization of governance. The potential of gender-sensitive approaches in PPP projects is disclosed as a tool to enhance social equity in access to medical services. It has been determined that PPP in healthcare is transforming into a full-fledged modernization mechanism for public administration, encompassing both financial and organizational-managerial components. The article highlights the feasibility of developing new forms of partnership, including platform-based solutions and service contract models. It is concluded that concession, asset management, and joint activity are the main legal forms of PPP implementation, each adapted to specific types of projects. The implementation of results-based financing mechanisms combined with digital analytical tools is considered promising. The need to create a central PPP support institution in the healthcare sector is emphasized, with the capacity to provide methodological guidance, standardization, and performance monitoring. It is established that decisions on launching specific PPP models should be based on thorough analysis of population needs and available resources.