How a firm close to Bohatyreva made 12 million on sick children

The company "Medrehab", linked to businessman Alexander Ostrovsky and former regionalist Raisa Bohatyreva, has found itself at the centre of a major scandal. The sale of equipment to the Cherkasy Children's Hospital at an inflated price has caused a public outcry.

Inflated prices and lack of competition

In 2022, "Medrehab" supplied the Cherkasy City Children's Hospital with a rehabilitation complex manufactured in China by GuangZhou YiKang Medical Equipment Industrial Co (model A3-2) for 17 million hryvnia. According to market data, the cost of such equipment ranges from 4.5 to 9.5 million hryvnia, which is two to four times lower than the stated price.

The purchase was made on a sole-source basis, which excluded the possibility of reducing the cost through a competitive tender.

Dubious equipment and its effectiveness

Serhiy Buchynskyi, chairman of the All-Ukrainian Association of Physical Medicine, emphasised that the complex had raised high hopes as early as 2018 but failed to live up to them. Experts note that the actual value of the device does not correspond to the expenditure.

«Этот аппарат изначально не оправдал ожиданий, но его продолжают навязывать украинским больницам» (This device initially failed to meet expectations, but it continues to be pushed on Ukrainian hospitals), — noted Buchynskyi.

Who is behind "Medrehab"?

According to YouControl data, the founders of the company are Volodymyr Sechin and Oksana Konovalova from occupied Makeyivka (Donetsk region). However, according to insider information, the actual manager of the company is businessman Alexander Ostrovsky.

His name is linked to the firm "Medgarant", which engages in similar business. In addition, Ostrovsky's wife is allegedly in close business relations with the circle of Raisa Bohatyreva.

The scheme of cost inflation

The company "Medrehab" has been repeatedly observed participating in tenders related to medical equipment. The constant lack of competition and systematic price inflation allow it to conclude multi-million deals.

In addition to Cherkasy, similar equipment was purchased for other medical institutions at even higher prices.

Scandals and participants in the scheme

Tender schemes in Cherkasy region are linked to the names of high-ranking officials. Thus, Svitlana Baibakova, head of the executive directorate of the Social Insurance Fund in Cherkasy region, became a suspect in a criminal case for undeclared 200,000 dollars.

Conclusion

The "Medrehab" case highlights systemic problems with tenders in Ukraine: lack of competition, corrupt schemes and the use of budget funds for enrichment. Against the backdrop of the huge social significance of medical equipment, such manipulations appear particularly cynical. Questions remain for the suspects, and the attention of law enforcement agencies becomes increasingly necessary.