Kyiv Perinatal Center Profits from Pregnant Women through a Phantom Firm: Investigation.

According to ТСН: In Ukraine, where due to war, the birth rate has decreased by 36%, every new life takes on strategic importance. The state covers the expenses for childbirth and pregnancy management, however, at the capital's perinatal center, previously known as the 5th maternity hospital, dubious profit-making practices have been discovered regarding patients by a private firm.

Journalists from 'Khapuga.ua' conducted an investigation into the firm 'Medlife Plus', which is registered at the address of the municipal institution at 2 Lobanovskyi Avenue.

The 'Medlife Plus' Scheme: Patients Pay a Private LLC for State Maternity Hospital Services

Patients of the perinatal center share unexpected receipts. For comfortable conditions after a cesarean section, women are forced to pay not to the hospital, but to the account of a private firm.

‘The only thing I paid for was the comfort room after the cesarean section — 10,500 UAH for 3 days. Everything was through the terminal, by card. But the conditions were such that it felt like we had gone back 20 years. I was in shock — so much money, and no comfort at all.’

Inna Ivanenko, director of the charity fund 'Patients of Ukraine', noted:

‘This resembles double extortion of funds. The state has already paid for basic pregnancy management from our taxes. And when a bill for another 16 thousand hryvnias is brought in the municipal institution — this is a subject of criminal investigation.’

The Phantom Clinic: Where is it Located

Journalist Yana Kochkurova tried to find the office of LLC 'MDC Medlife Plus'. The company's website lists the address of the maternity hospital and a phone number, but the reality turned out to be quite different:

• When calling the 'Medlife' number, someone at the department of conservative gynecology of the state maternity hospital picks up. They have 'never heard of' the private clinic.

• There is no sign or directional indicator for 'Medlife Plus' on the territory of the maternity hospital. Employees and pharmacists assure that such an institution does not exist here.

The head of 'Medlife', Serhiy Dorofeev, during a tense conversation promised to conduct a 'tour' and provide explanations, but subsequently disappeared, not answering calls, and all prices disappeared from the clinic's website.

The director of the perinatal center, Dmytro Hovseev, who has headed the institution for several years, refused to answer direct questions.

‘I have no answers for you. I do not know about corruption and do not know about 'Medlife Plus'. You are interfering with my work.’

Million-Dollar Tenders and Criminal Cases

In addition to the 'ward business', the center's management is involved in a criminal case concerning state procurement. According to investigative data, Dmytro Hovseev and his deputy Serhiy Tyshchenko established a scheme for misappropriating budgetary funds.

‘The director of KP 'Kyiv Perinatal Center', acting in conspiracy with other officials, established a mechanism for misappropriating funds during the procurement of medical supplies.’

Investigators claim that officials received instructions via messengers on how to reject competitors' proposals, even if they were cheaper by 300 thousand hryvnias. The investigation is ongoing.

The Director's Wealth: A House for His Son, a Car for His Wife

While the maternity hospital collects money from new mothers, interesting properties appear in Dmytro Hovseev's declaration. Journalists have discovered that he uses a luxury vehicle daily, which is not indicated in the declaration (it may be registered in the name of a new wife or a partner with whom he has an unregistered relationship). Additionally, the official owns a house near Kyiv with an area of almost 500 square meters, registered in his son's name.

‘Hovseev evidently has complex relationships with transportation. There is information circulating in public forums and social media about a terrible car crash in the capital, in which, possibly, the head of the perinatal center was involved.’

This situation with 'Medlife Plus' raises concerns about the ethics of medical services in Ukraine and potential abuses within the system. If the detected corruption facts are confirmed, this could lead to serious consequences both for the management of the perinatal center and for medical institutions in general. Society has the right to know where resources are directed, especially in such a sensitive area as the health care of mothers and children.