The updated regulations for accessing the Electronic Health System (eHealth) and issuing electronic referrals do not alter a patient’s treatment journey or the process of receiving medical care. This was stated on television by the head of the National Health Service of Ukraine, Nataliia Husak, as reported by Ukrinform correspondent. “Neither patient pathways nor the procedure for providing medical assistance have changed. Certain technical functionalities for working with the electronic health system have been clarified. In reality, they should have been implemented this way from the very beginning of the system’s operation,” Husak stated. According to her, the issue previously was that in some medical facilities, nurses could operate within the system under the qualified electronic signature (KEP) of a doctor. “Legally and in terms of logical clinical practice, only a family doctor or a treating physician can issue a referral for a patient to undergo any examination – diagnostic, laboratory, or to a specialist. A nurse does not possess such competencies. Previously, we observed instances where nurses logged in using a family doctor’s account, which subsequently led to confusion regarding the actual provision of services to patients. Therefore, we have very clearly specified the roles and authorities,” Husak emphasized. She also recalled that the electronic health system is the largest registry containing the most sensitive information in the country, and in wartime, cybersecurity is a critical concern. “Specific aspects related to cyber protection must be improved because we, as a state, are responsible for the data of millions of Ukrainians. We must have the precise tools that allow us to protect Ukrainian data within the electronic health system. Consequently, a single entry point, two-factor authentication, and system logout if two-factor authentication is not completed have been implemented. These steps will make the system more secure,” noted Husak. According to her, military medical facilities will now also be connected to the electronic health system, and the rules for cyber protection and data handling will apply equally to them. Additionally, Husak stressed that the eHealth system does not identify individuals based on profession or social status. As previously reported, new requirements from the N(H)SU and the Ministry of Health regarding access to the electronic health system (eHealth) and the processing of electronic referrals came into effect in Ukraine on May 20. All medical information systems have transitioned to the principle of “one account – one person” with mandatory two-factor authentication. Henceforth, each medical professional operates solely under their individual login.