Ildar Khalikov: The number of citizens’ appeals regarding improper medical care has increased by 2.8 times over the last five years

The main issue at today’s board session of Tatarstan Ministry of Health at Educational centre of high medical technologies was increasing professional responsibility of medical workers and officials of medical organisations.

Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Aide to Tatarstan President in social issues Tatyana Larionova, Chief of Investigation Department of Russia’s Investigation Committee in Tatarstan Pavel Nikolayev, First Deputy Prosecutor of Tatarstan Artem Nikolayev, representatives of regional law-enforcement and judicial authorities took part in the session.

“The work of medical institutions has always been under close attention. One should keep in mind that everyone, who visits medical institutions, is usually people who need help,” Ildar Khalikov said when opening the session.

There are many real problems in the healthcare industry and it is important to treat them properly, Ildar Khalikov noted.

According to Ildar Khalikov, Tatarstan is one of the regions with the population growth, while the population is declining in some regions of the republic. Head of Tatarstan Government stressed that a solid piece of work is being done in this area, pointing out primary medical care as one of the most troublesome spheres. Heads of medical institutions should take into account patients’ satisfaction with medical care in their work, Ildar Khalikov continued.

As for the resonant problems that we had in the health care system, we see that people respond quickly to medical errors, he said. The number of citizens’ appeals regarding improper medical care has increased by 2.8 times over the last five years, with about half of them (47 per cent) relating to low quality of medical care.

Ildar Khalikov reminded that in accordance with the Federal Law of 29.11.2010 № 326-FZ "On Compulsory Health Insurance in the Russian Federation" the protection of the rights of the insured citizens is the responsibility of territorial compulsory health insurance funds and health insurance companies. According to him, they should continue work on people’s awareness in this regard and use all opportunities and resources available for this purpose.

Ildar Khalikov said that very often people complain about long periods of waiting for an ambulance and the solicitation of paid medical services. According to Ildar Khalikov, the paid services should not become the extortion, every citizen has the right to receive free medical care.

All health workers should remember the Hippocratic oath on how to respect the interests of the patient, Ildar Khalikov reminded.

Tatarstan Minister of Health Adel Vafin and Chief of Investigation Department of Russia’s Investigation Committee in Tatarstan Pavel Nikolayev made their reports at the session.