Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan gives priority to the health sector

On January 26, speaking at a meeting of the Ministry of Health of the republic on the results of the work in 2017 and tasks for the current year, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan gives priority to the health sector, which ranks second in terms of the level of expenditures from the regional budget.

Minnikhanov continued that Tatarstan had good demographic indicators in 2017. However, according to him, a positive trend is maintained largely due to a reduction in mortality among the working population. At the same time, a decrease in the birth rate has been recorded in the region. "If it goes on this way, this will not lead to anything good. In general, we need to seriously analyze the demographic situation,” Minnikhanov said. “It is positive that we have a life expectancy of up to 74 years. I think that the programme, which we have in the republic in terms of creating centres of high-tech medicine and active work in the field of primary care - all this gives the results.”

Minnikhanov noted that currently the federal centre attaches great importance to improving the demographic situation. In particular, since the beginning of the year a new benefit for families in which the first child is born has been introduced in the country. The republic at its level is also developing additional measures to stimulate the birth rate, Tatarstan President noted. It is about the social support of women who live in the countryside for at least 3 years and give birth to the first and third children.

He stressed that serious work is underway to improve the infrastructure. Last year, a large-scale programme to modernize regional polyclinics was adopted. For two years, as many 195 facilities are planned to be brought to a proper condition.

Tatarstan President added that despite all efforts, people continue to send complaints to the People's Control information system. "Last year, 889 complaints were received, which is 9 per cent more than in 2016 - 817 compalains," he stated. “We need to monitor people's complaints, look into these issues. You have to understand that people are the same everywhere and the attitude towards them should be equally good. It is important for us to work to improve the culture of service. "

Minnikhanov also urged to pay special attention to providing the population with medicines, the implementation of the project for the introduction of the electronic medical certificate of incapacity for work and ensuring the accessibility of medical examination.