#6
Kommersant
March 21, 2002
LIFE IS BETTER, LIFE IS HEALTHIER
The Heath Care Ministry sums up 2001
Author: Yelena Vansovich
[from WPS Monitoring Agency, www.wps.ru/e_index.html]
THE BOARD OF THE HEATH CARE MINISTRY MET YESTERDAY. SUMMING UP 2001, HEALTH MINISTER YURI SHEVCHENKO ANNOUNCED THAT THE YEAR "WAS A TURNING POINT FOR THE RUSSIAN HEATH CARE SYSTEM." HE MEANT THAT THE HEALTH OF RUSSIAN CITIZENS HAD FINALLY IMPROVED.
Health Care Minister Yuri Shevchenko reports some relative success
THE BOARD OF THE HEATH CARE MINISTRY MET YESTERDAY. SUMMING UP 2001, HEALTH MINISTER YURI SHEVCHENKO ANNOUNCED THAT THE YEAR "WAS A TURNING POINT FOR THE RUSSIAN HEATH CARE SYSTEM." HE MEANT THAT THE HEALTH OF RUSSIAN CITIZENS HAD FINALLY IMPROVED. BUT WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS IMPROVED, THE DEATH RATE IN RUSSIA HAS BEEN DOUBLE THE BIRTH RATE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
According to the data compiled by the Health Care Ministry, over 2 million Russian citizens die every year. The death rate has fallen somewhat in only 19 regions. Deaths from accidents and poisoning are particularly frequent. Since 1993, Russia has been recording 200 accidental deaths per 100,000 citizens. Accidents and poisoning account for 50% of male deaths and 30% of deaths among women in their prime.
According to Shevchenko, the state of health of health of Russian citizens leaves much to be desired, first and foremost because citizens do not take proper care of themselves. Only 12% regularly take part in sports and athletic activities. About 30 million are alcoholics; almost 2 million are drug addicts; and over 45% (almost 60 million people) are smokers. Shevchenko said that beer commercials were "quite disgusting, urging young men to lead a disgusting way of life"; but consumption of hard liquor in Russia has fallen by 13%. At the same time, there is more and more heart disease, alcoholism, drug addiction, and AIDS. Shevchenko likes the fact that young people have a healthier lifestyle than their elders (in terms of food and alcohol consumption). The minister calls drug addiction "an extension of international terrorism" and says that it was introduced to Russia in order to weaken Russia.
Shevchenko commented on a number of positive trends as well. According to the Health Care Ministry, deaths in childbirth declined by 24% in 2001, and 52,000 more children were born than the year before.
The minister attributes all these positive trends to improvement of the economic situation in Russia, and to the fact that "the amount of funding from the federal budget allocated for health care rose by 68% against in 1999." Unfortunately, wages in this sector remain "humiliatingly low". The Health Care Ministry says its major problems are the prices of pharmaceuticals and shortages of personnel. According to the minister, rising prices are just an attempt by pharmaceutical producers and distributors to put pressure on the government, ino order to get the 10% VAT cancelled. He advised Russian citizens to invest in proper meals, not in pharmaceuticals, because it is easier to prevent illness than treat it afterwards.
In conclusion, Shevchenko outlined several strategic directions. The program of medical-social insurance has to be developed, and health care funding should be increased.
(Translated by A. Ignatkin)
Back to the Top
Next Article
March 21, 2002:
#6148
- Back to the Top -