Lukashenko instructed new Healthcare Minister to act more decisively and economically
There should be no mismanagement or delay in the work of the healthcare system – as stated by Belarus’ President Aleksandr Lukashenko during the appointment of new Healthcare Minister
Addressing Aleksandr Khodzhaev, the Head of State noted that his work would not be easy, although a lot has been done in the field of healthcare recently, including by the ministry’s present members and the established commission. “The primary level of healthcare has received significant attention. You understand perfectly well that we cannot lose our villages and small towns, since they are the foundation of our state. People who need help first of all live there. This does not mean that we will neglect cities, but we have more or less put things in order in our cities, and medical care is rendered here at a higher level than in rural areas,” he said.
The President stated that solutions have been identified, and therefore all problems at village first-aid stations, district and district hospitals should be solved. “We need to act more decisively. We need to count the money, we need to look at what is happening – so that it would not be like during the pandemic times,” he added. In particular, Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the cases when COVID vaccines were destroyed. He stressed in this regard, “There should be no mismanagement! Discipline is a must, it is necessary to work. We have done at least what I promised to healthcare workers after the pandemic, and this refers to their salaries and medical equipment.”
The Belarusian leader added that the new minister is not an outsider in the medical field, so he knows what is happening in the healthcare system and in the ministry. “You will have to further develop domestic healthcare and look at the export of services. We have gone wide and are in great demand in developing countries – especially in Africa: they are asking us very much to help not just improve, but create a healthcare system and train their doctors. We will have to work there, no matter how difficult it may be,” he said.
The President also touched upon the issue of employment of the previous Healthcare Minister, Dmitry Pinevich. There will be no objections if he wants to continue working in the healthcare system. If not, there are enough vacancies and jobs in the country to benefit the state.
