Press releases

MINSK, 22 May (BelTA) – A regional meeting to discuss ways to expand access to high-quality and affordable medicines in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is to take place in Minsk in November. Belarus’ Healthcare Minister Valery Malashko invited his foreign counterparts to take part in the discussion as he spoke at the 71^st session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry.

Participants of the regional session are expected to come up with a uniform approach to increasing access to quality-assured, efficient and affordable medicines to treat HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis C as part of the efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. The event will be co-organized by the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry, UNAIDS, WHO and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Valery Malashko told attendees about Belarus’ healthcare policy. The country is among the world’s leaders in terms of access to medical services and is among 42 nations where over 99% of deliveries are attended by skilled health personnel. The country is 25^th in the list of best countries to be a mother. Belarus is actively advancing top-notch solutions in cellular medicine, biomedicine, transplantation, cancer and heart surgery. Personalized evidence-based medicine is given a bigger focus. At the present stage, the Belarusian healthcare system is rechanneling resources into the most efficient areas of activity. Among them is primary care.

Belarus has earned a reputation of an IT hub. “The healthcare sector is spearheading digital transformation of the economy: we are moving towards eHealth that will cut across all areas of healthcare provision and will allow redefining relations between patients and medical professionals,” Valery Malashko said.