Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador
At the beginning of May, the Health Care Index for 2024, which ranks healthcare systems worldwide, was published. Belarus ranked 88th out of 94 countries.
The Lukashenko regime often propagates the idea of a social state, with healthcare being an essential component. However, instead of genuinely improving the efficiency of the healthcare system in Belarus, the regime focuses on creating a propaganda image of exceptional medical care that is the envy of the world.
Let's examine the prospects that the Lukashenko regime is envisioning for the healthcare system, particularly in terms of attracting and retaining healthcare professionals. Are young people in Belarus motivated to pursue careers in medicine? Will the healthcare system be able to replenish its workforce with new personnel?
The answers to these questions can be found in the new version of the Law "On Health Care," which was published in November of last year. The law introduces several changes, including an extension of the medical residency and mandatory postgraduate work assignment duration. The duration of the postgraduate work assignment has been increased from two to five years, even for future specialists studying through distance learning. Additionally, doctors who stop their medical residency or are expelled will have to repay more than double the amount of their training costs.
The system of postgraduate work assignment for medics, similar to many other young professionals, resembles an improved form of slavery. This does not create an environment conducive to increasing the number of doctors in the country or improving the quality of healthcare. After completing their studies at a university and medical residency, graduates who are assigned to work in a local clinic for a low salary, particularly during the initial stages, essentially become trapped: the inadequate salary leaves them unable to generate sufficient funds to reimburse their training costs in case of dismissal, and specialists find themselves bound to their workplace without the freedom to choose. Will specialists be motivated to work effectively when they lack autonomy in their career decisions?
Rather than creating favorable conditions to attract qualified professionals to the medical field, the dictator proposes to address the shortage of medical personnel by increasing the workload on already overburdened doctors.
The dictator's solution to address the shortage of medical personnel in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare institutions is to increase the workload on doctors. However, instead of creating favorable conditions to attract qualified specialists to the medical field, the approach involves placing even greater burdens on already overwhelmed healthcare professionals.
The healthcare system in Belarus is a crucial area of the state's social policy. The well-being and life expectancy of the population, including our parents, grandparents, and children—essentially the future of our country—depend on the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Belarusian doctors have made significant contributions to medical research and have dedicated their work to the benefit of the Belarusian people. However, this has been achieved despite the regime's policies, not because of them. Instead of making tangible improvements and creating conditions to attract specialists to the healthcare system, the regime focuses on intensifying propaganda rhetoric to convince doctors that their lives are good.
Lukashenko's concern lies primarily with his own health and the health of those close to him. He prioritizes personal health over public health, and he believes that propaganda can resolve all other issues, rather than taking concrete actions.
The healthcare system in Belarus is a critical aspect of the state's social policy. The well-being and longevity of the population, including our own health and the health of our parents, grandparents, and children—the very future of our country—depend on the effectiveness of our healthcare system. Belarusian doctors are a source of pride for our nation.
The countless research endeavors and dedicated work of thousands of healthcare professionals have led to remarkable medical advancements in Belarus. However, it is important to note that these achievements are not a result of the regime's policies, but rather happen despite those. Instead of actively improving the situation and creating favorable conditions to attract healthcare specialists, the regime resorts to intensifying its propaganda rhetoric, attempting to convince doctors, through mere words rather than actions, that their lives are great.
Lukashenko's primary concern lies solely in his own health and the well-being of those in his inner circle. Public health takes a backseat to his personal interests, and he believes that propaganda can resolve all other issues.