The quality of medical services in Belarus needs to be improved - A. Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko liked the hospital and said he did not regret visiting it. "I came here with the aim of familiarising myself with the implementation of the order regarding the hospital reconstruction, as well as with how the modernisation of the entire system is progressing, starting from FAPs (feldsher-midwife points), medical outpatient clinics, district, regional and oblast hospitals, and ending with republican centres. Currently, using Ivacevichi as an example, we are examining the state of affairs in district hospitals," he said, recalling that just a few years ago the situation with medicine was causing much criticism, which is precisely why the decision was made to optimise the healthcare structure and reconstruct medical facilities. Analysing the current situation in the healthcare system, the President noted that a sufficient number of hospitals have been established in the country and there is no need to build more. Now it is necessary to use the equipment, for the installation of which the state has allocated enormous funds, as effectively as possible and to provide high-quality medical services that meet world standards. At the same time, he stressed that "the healthcare system needs to be further optimised by eliminating unnecessary links." Alexander Lukashenko positively assessed everything that has been done during the reconstruction of the Ivacevichi Central District Hospital. He believes that all district hospitals in Belarus should be modernised to the same high standard as in Ivacevichi. As informed to the President by the Minister of Health, Vasily Zharko, currently 106 district hospitals in the country have been brought into proper order. Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that there should be no empty talk in healthcare matters. All problems and shortcomings existing in healthcare must be addressed. "We have two years to complete the modernisation of healthcare, and then we need to move forward. If Belarusian doctors are performing laparoscopic kidney transplant surgeries today, it means we are capable of doing a great deal. We will move forward and strive to improve the level and quality of medical care," said the head of state. During his visit to the Ivacevichi Central District Hospital, the President of Belarus declared the unacceptability of showmanship in all sectors, especially in the healthcare system."There should be no window dressing in healthcare," he demanded. As a negative example, Alexander Lukashenko spoke about what he saw from the helicopter on his approach to Ivacevichi today. During the rain, when the fields are flooded, organic matter is being applied, and on some other fields, straw is being loaded in such rainy weather. "This is them wanting to show that they are working in such conditions," the President said. According to him, this should not happen – nobody needs window dressing, there should be real effective work. It should be noted that, on the whole, such facts are not typical for the Brest region, which is why these shortcomings are particularly striking. Alexander Lukashenko warned medics against window dressing. According to him, all the necessary conditions for doctors to work have been created to date – modern treatment facilities equipped with good equipment have been built. "I believe that in three years, we have practically made a revolution in healthcare. Now it is time to ask for, to demand results, because considerable funds have been invested in the healthcare system," the President noted. He also emphasized that the salaries of medical workers will be increased: "We will increase doctors' salaries, but we will also demand more. If you want to work, work, but deliver results." On the same day, Alexander Lukashenko visited the corn calibration plant of Brest-Travy LLC in Ivacevichi. During the visit to the enterprise, issues related to corn cultivation and harvesting in the country were discussed in general. In recent years, the sown areas of this crop in Belarus have stabilized at the level of 800-830 thousand hectares. This year, corn was sown in agricultural organizations on an area of 804.6 thousand hectares. Corn seed production in Belarus is carried out in the raw material zones of the Mozyr and Ivacevichi corn calibration plants. The annual requirement of the country's agricultural organizations for corn seeds is 23-24 thousand tons. At the same time, domestic corn seed production provides about 14 thousand tons of seeds, which is 60% of their requirement. The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mikhail Rusy, assured the President that Belarus will achieve full self-sufficiency in its own corn seeds as early as 2011. By the end of next year, the capacity for corn seed production in Belarus will be increased to 24 thousand tons per year. This will be achieved by expanding the capacities of the republic's corn calibration plants. "If next year we fully provide ourselves with seeds, then this issue is closed," Alexander Lukashenko said.It is also planned that in 2013 the export of corn seeds will be launched. The President noted that growing corn for the country's agricultural sector is very beneficial. "For example, if there were no corn this year, we would be without fodder," he said. "But if we have taken up corn, then to grow it, we must have everything: from seeds to machinery. And the technology must be strictly observed," added Alexander Lukashenko. "We have learned to grow corn – this means we will have fodder, and consequently, milk and meat," stressed the Head of State. Alexander Lukashenko familiarised himself with the production workshops of the corn calibration plant in Ivacevichi, gave a high overall assessment of the plant and noted that the construction of its second phase needs to be completed. Currently, the enterprise's capacity is 5 thousand tons of corn seeds. In 2012, it is planned to complete the construction of the plant, and in 2013, to reach a production of 10-11 thousand tons of seeds. During his visit to the plant, the Head of State also touched upon other aspects of agriculture. In particular, Alexander Lukashenko announced that unprofitable and inefficient agricultural enterprises in Belarus will be privatised. "You will struggle for another two years, and then, those who do not achieve profitable operation will be privatised," he said. Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bambiza noted that Belarus has already partially privatised unprofitable enterprises. "Now the issue of broader privatisation is on the agenda, including the property complexes that are currently inefficient or poorly efficient, meaning we are talking not only about unprofitable but also about poorly efficient farms," he said. By the instruction of the Head of State, approaches to the privatisation of such enterprises will be worked out in the near future. "This will also affect agricultural cooperatives and communal agricultural enterprises," added Ivan Bambiza. In addition, Alexander Lukashenko demanded that the issue of developing sheep breeding in the country be worked out. On September 7, the Head of State will continue his working trip around the Brest region. The focus will be on issues of crop production development. -0-

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