What stands behind the closure of “inadequate” clinics?
The deputy health minister told reporters that it would be better for the whole healthcare system to have fewer clinics but with an up-to-date quality of medical services. Volha Bartman, a spokeswoman for the Health Ministry, assured the European Radio for Belarus that the deputy minister did not mean at all that hospitals and out-patient clinics would be closed, even if they “don’t meet modern requirements”. The deputy minister was allegedly talking about a temporary closure for reconstruction and upgrading.
“This information was given at the press conference from the point of view that our healthcare institutions must be in line with sanitary standards and procedures. Those clinics that do not meet those standards will be temporarily suspended and closed in order to eliminate deficiencies. It does not mean that all the hospitals will be closed. Moreover, analysis is always made to identify their necessity”, Volha Bartman said.
According to the official, the work to identify “inadequate” medical institutions is permanently carried out. Sanitary authorities make routine inspections and issue their resolutions.
After the European Radio for Belarus reminded that the infectious disease department in Sharkaushchyna was closed and shifted 50 km away to the town of Hlybokaye (as the deputy minister had said), Volha Bartman admitted that such case would happen. However, she declined to say how many “shifts” took place last year.
“It is hard to say. If you need exact figures, please write a request and we will count and make this information available to you”.
The European Radio for Belarus also asked whether the Health Ministry had money to reconstruct all the hospitals where deficiencies were detected. Volha Bartman said the funds were available.
“No doubt, reconstructions take place in accordance with the plan. The funds for reconstruction are calculated and introduced into the country’s budget for healthcare”.
It is a common knowledge that the budget is formed one year in advance. It should mean that the budget stipulates clearly how many clinics would be repaired and at what cost. Thus, either the sanitary authorities have a target of how many medical institutions that do not meet modern standards should be found or such clinics will be closed before the plans for their reconstruction are approved in the budget for the next year.
Volha Bartman was unable to respond whether the plans for reconstructions match the number of “inadequate” clinics. She only assured that even if clinics are “temporarily” closed, everything possible is done to offer medical services to the population allegedly at a very high-quality level.
