Currently, there are 303 sanatorium-resort and health improvement organizations operating in the republic, with a capacity of 65,000 beds, including 105 sanatoriums with a capacity of 28,000 beds.
Currently, there are 303 sanatorium-resort and health improvement organizations operating in the republic, with a capacity of 65,000 beds, including 105 sanatoriums with a capacity of 28,000 beds. This provides the opportunity to offer sanatorium-resort treatment and health improvement to over 1.3 million people annually. The average occupancy rate last year was 84%. This is the best result in the last 10 years.
Ambitious plans are ready to be supported by Belarusian scientists, including Nikolai Serdyuchenko, Academic Secretary of the Department of Medical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. He spoke at a republican meeting in "Plissa", which summarized the results of the population's health improvement and sanatorium-resort treatment work last year, and also discussed the most important tasks for the future.
– We plan to implement an important investment project, – emphasized Valery Mazovka, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Production and Construction Closed Joint Stock Company "Trest Promstroy". – We want to introduce new trends into our operations. Currently, we can accommodate over 340 guests. We will build another modern building. In addition, we intend to create a unique ethno-park that will allow everyone to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the distant past.
According to legend, a princely castle stood on the lake shore during the Polotsk Principality. This gave rise to the idea of recreating the life of that era. To build massive walls, drawbridges, a rich terem (mansion), near which colourful fairs and cultural events could be organised, focusing on creative heritage and introducing guests to products manufactured by enterprises of the Vitebsk region.
There are many beautiful places in the republic for recreation and health improvement. To compete effectively in the tourism and health resort services market, one cannot rest on their laurels. Our objective is not merely to provide medical services, but to introduce new diagnostic methods and do everything possible to ensure guests feel comfortable and wish to return.
The "Plissa" Sanatorium and Resort Complex is often referred to as a balneological resort. Its uniqueness lies in its proximity to the lake of the same name, from which sapropelic mud is extracted for treatment. Balneological and drinking mineral waters are also sourced there.
The "Plissa" Sanatorium and Resort Complex, a branch of CJSC "Trest Promstroy", currently occupies an area of approximately 18,000 sq. m, but this figure is set to increase significantly in the near future.
– Caring for children is the main condition for the sustainable development of the country, – noted Gennady Bolbatovsky, Director of the Republican Centre for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment of the Population. – Annually, about 80% of the funds allocated to the centre are directed towards the implementation of benefits for sanatorium-resort treatment and health improvement of children. Thanks to this, over half of minors are provided with free or subsidised vouchers.
For example, in the past year, 719 thousand children underwent treatment and health improvement at the expense of state funds, which is 11 thousand more than in 2018.
Gennady Bolbatovsky noted that the health of people affected by the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster is also given an important place in the state social policy. In particular, in 2019, 91.5 million rubles were allocated from the republican budget for their sanatorium-resort treatment and health improvement.
The meeting discussed the provision of services to veterans of the Great Patriotic War, the need to increase the number of places for physically weakened individuals, and the significance of health improvement for children in various types of camps. By the way, the demand for summer recreation has recently been fully met. In 2019, a record of sorts was set: the coverage of children's summer health improvement averaged over 40% nationwide. The best results were achieved in the Grodno, Vitebsk, and Brest regions.
Participants of the meeting also focused on the export of medical services. Based on the results of last year, revenue from their provision to foreign citizens by health resorts of our country increased by 11.5% compared to 2018 and exceeded 200 million rubles. Vitebsk region showed the highest growth rates in service export revenue compared to 2018. More than 240 thousand residents from near and far abroad underwent treatment and wellness courses in Belarus.
Alexander Shubsky, Chairman of the Glubokskoye District Executive Committee, informed the guests about the natural beauty of the region and industrial enterprises whose products are exported to many countries worldwide. A large number of foreigners regularly visit the sanatorium-resort complex, which also positively affects the region's image.
– The main wealth of the nation is people's health, – emphasized Vladimir Penin, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, summing up the meeting. – By specialising in treatment and wellness for the population, you are taking care of the country's future. The health resorts of Vitebsk region have excellent prospects for further development and expansion of the range of services provided.
The best performers based on last year's results received awards in several nominations. For example, among children's rehabilitation and health centres, "Zhemchuzhina" (Pearl) of Lepel district took second place for its high performance in population wellness and sanatorium-resort treatment. Gennady Bolbatovsky presented the award to the centre's director, Vera Zakrevskaya, with wishes for continued successful development.