Opinions & Interviews

Thanks to the well-organized vertical system of healthcare, Belarus has achieved significant progress. “Among other things, we have ensured almost equal access to healthcare services for everyone,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed. The head of state noted that, unlike in some other states, in Belarus “a person will not be left to die in the street if he/she has no health insurance.”

“Such things do not happen in our country. We provide equal healthcare for all,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

Belarus is rightly proud of its healthcare achievements. The Belarus President invited Zsuzsanna Jakab and other WHO experts to study the innovations introduced in Belarus. The maternal mortality rates, birthrates, and infant mortality rates are kept under control. Every step is given careful consideration. This year, there have been no cases of maternal mortality in Belarus. In 2014, doctors did not manage to save the life of one woman due to objective reasons. Before that, there were no maternal mortality cases either. “That was not easy to achieve. In terms of these indicators, today Belarus ranks among the top three world leaders on par with leading developed countries,” Alexander Lukashenko pointed out.

The full-scale modernization of the Belarusian healthcare system is another achievement. “We provided our medical workers with cutting-edge equipment,” the Belarus President noted. Special attention was paid to cardiology and oncology since heart diseases and cancers are the most common diseases in the country.

Alexander Lukashenko said that this approach to healthcare, to a certain extent, has spoilt Belarusians as it does not encourage people to care for their health. “Everything is for free, the state carries every citizen in its arms,” the President noted. The President added that he repeatedly stressed that everyone should take care of their health as it costs a lot of money to the state. Healthy lifestyle and sports are promoted in Belarus. People are encouraged to give up unhealthy habits.

An anti-drug campaign was launched in Belarus in 2014. “Our legislation is very tough, especially towards drug dealers. I think drug abuse will remain a scourge for healthcare and the whole mankind in this millennium. This is why we are so tough on this issue,” Alexander Lukashenko explained.

“We have made significant progress in healthcare since the collapse of the Soviet Union,” the head of state added. He expressed confidence that the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Europe and her colleagues to Belarus will be fruitful and thanked them for WHO initiatives, including the WHO Health 2020 policy. Alexander Lukashenko expressed appreciation for the program and stressed that Belarus fully supports it.