USAID launches $45-mln project to strengthen Ukrainian healthcare system

MOSCOW. July 13 (Interfax) - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is starting a five-year project worth $45 million to strengthen Ukraine's healthcare system, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.

"This will include crisis response, mental health services, and more in line with First Lady [Olena] Zelenska's initiative on mental health," Ukrainian media quoted Brink as saying on social media following a meeting with Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Lyashko.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukraine also received a $1.7-billion grant from USAID to support Ukraine's Medical Guarantees Program, including paying the salaries of healthcare workers.

USAID said on its website that it has provided the Ukrainian government with $4 billion in direct budgetary support to date. "These resources have helped the Ukrainian government continue carrying out core functions - for example, keeping gas and electricity flowing to hospitals, schools, and other critical infrastructure, supporting the provision of humanitarian supplies to citizens, and continuing to pay the salaries of civil servants and teachers," USAID said in a statement.