Digitalization and pharmaceuticals: What healthcare know-how can Belarus and Russia swap?

Opening the event, Valery Malashko, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly’s Commission on Healthcare and Chairman of the Standing Commission on Health, Physical Education, Family and Youth Policy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, reported that a comparative analysis of the rights of citizens in the two countries to receive medical care had been conducted. Based on the results, the healthcare ministries of Belarus and Russia confirmed that citizens’ rights are broadly equal.

The MP highlighted three key areas for discussion at the seminar. First, legal regulation of medical activities and social support for healthcare workers (including differing approaches to salaries, workload, and pensions in the two countries). Second, digitalization of healthcare: exchanging experience in creating unified information systems and the prospect of a unified digital medical space within the Union State. Third, personnel issues and attracting young specialists.

“Of course, many issues today revolve around the accessibility of medical care. There are things that bring healthcare closer to the citizens of our countries. First of all, it is digitalization. In this regard, we are very much looking to the experience of the Russian Federation,” Valery Malashko told the media. He noted that digitalization can strengthen the healthcare system, make more efficient use of its material and human resources, and make medical care more accessible to citizens.

Russia, in turn, is interested in Belarus’ experience in supplying the healthcare system with domestically produced medications. “Today, over 80% of the pharmaceutical drugs we produce in our national segment are used in inpatient care. So in this regard, we too can share our experience,” Valery Malashko noted. According to him, this topic is scheduled for discussion at a future meeting of the commission he chairs.

Speaking about personnel training, the parliamentarian emphasized that both Belarus and Russia face a shortage of medical staff. In his view, systematic career guidance starting in school is needed, as well as active engagement of young people in research work. It would also be advisable to discuss the possibility of adopting model legislative norms for the Union State in the healthcare sector.

During the meeting, participants will share views on a wide range of issues, including the formation and development of modern healthcare systems in Belarus and Russia, current problems of legal regulation of medical activities in the Union State, social and legal protection of healthcare workers, digitalization of healthcare, the role of young specialists and scientists, and promising areas of cooperation between the two countries in digital medicine. In addition to plenary sessions, the seminar program also includes a practical component: visits to the Belarusian State Medical University, the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology, as well as the specialized exhibition BelarusMedica.

The Permanent Seminar under the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia on the Union State construction was established on the initiative of Union State parliamentarians in 2006. The seminar traditionally convenes representatives of the scientific and academic communities of Belarus and Russia. The format of the event affords the opportunity for a thorough examination of topical issues pertaining to cooperation between Belarus and Russia within the Union State.