OREANDA-NEWS. April 26, 2012. This year the Government has considerably increased financing of the Chornobyl programs and has raised the pensions level to persons suffered as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. This was informed by the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Social Policy Sergiy Tigipko at today’s briefing in the Cabinet of Ministers.

"We have over two million people having the status of victims of the Chernobyl disaster. In the country there are about a hundred types of social support to Chornobyl disaster victims. But definitely the most our care - about the disabled-liquidators," Sergiy Tigipko noted.

He said the pensions level for disabled Chornobyl victims have already been raised, and as from the first April of this year the disabled-liquidators of the first degree of disability would be getting an average of 5,474 UAH (previously - 2213 UAH), disabled of the second degree of disability - 4778 UAH (previously - 1964 UAH), disabled of the third degree of disability - 2972 UAH (previously - 1513).

According to Vice Premier, it has also been increased costs of financing for Chornobyl programs. In particular, in the budget 2012, 50 million UAH are provided for the treatment of Chornobyl victims... – ten times more compared to 2009. 150 more million UAH provided to fund housing programs, while in 2009-10's funds for this program had not been foreseen. "Also, we have first reached the 100% meet the needs of prosthetics to disabilities, including Chornobyl victims," said Sergiy Tigipko.

The official has also emphasized that the Ministry of Social Policy is working out the mechanisms of individual consideration of problematic issues of Chornobyl victims, who for some reasons dissatisfied with the level of their pensions provision.

"We have considerably raised both an average and a minimum level of retirement provision to disabled liquidators, but there are some cases when people could have received higher pensions. Currently it is working regional commissions to study such cases. We shall be summarizing them and are looking to find the solutions," said Sergiy Tigipko.

Moreover, Vice Prime Minister reminded that the Ministry has already prepared a bill which proposes to refuse carrying out of tendering when procurement of vouchers for the rehabilitation of Chornobyl victims. Instead, people will receive a voucher that makes it possible for Chornobyl victims to independently choose health centers.

"We are switching over to the voucher system. Rejecting the tenders, we would destroy the system of corruption," Sergiy Tigipko stated.