GOMEL, 1 April (BelTA) – The establishment of simulation centers and clinical residency, as well as higher salaries for healthcare workers will be among the health sector priorities in Belarus, Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich told reporters prior to announcing postgraduate work assignment decisions at Gomel State Medical University, BelTA has learned.
According to the minister, medical simulation centers will be up and running in Belarus next year. They will be set up at the Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education (BelMAPO) and in all universities and nursing schools. Practical training will take just as much classroom time as theoretical learning,” Dmitry Pinevich noted.
Gomel State Medical University will offer new forms of postgraduate training. “I remind you about the introduction of clinical residency. The necessary paperwork is nearing completion. The final documents will specify the competencies, seats, and procedures for undertaking clinical residency,” Dmitry Pinevich said. In general, better post-graduate education will subsequently result in better undergraduate training, the minister emphasized.
Speaking about personnel shortage, Dmitry Pinevich explained that this matters remains high on the agenda of the ministry. This issue is approached by balanced analytics. Speaking about secondary employment, he said that it is a normal practice. For example, an obstetrician-gynecologist should have the skills of an ultrasound diagnostician. From this perspective, the personnel shortage looks smaller. This problem is more pronounced in small towns and in the primary healthcare as it is not considered to be prestigious by fledgling doctors. Indeed, it is more prestigious anywhere in the world to be a heart surgeon or a neurosurgeon than to work in a community clinic. “Without underestimating the role of tertiary health professionals, I will say that the work of a general practitioner is the quintessence of entire medical practice and a great opportunity for professional growth. Of course, the problem remains, therefore we are considering expanding employer-sponsored educational programs,” he said.
The minister also touched upon salaries of healthcare workers. The so-called COVID bonuses were a substantial addition to salaries in the health sector. “The president has set a task to retain this level of salaries when the pandemic is over. The financing of the public health system should be exactly the same as it is now,” he said.
Dmitry Pinevich named five main things needed for comfortable work of healthcare professionals. These are a decent salary, professional growth opportunities, perks and benefits, protection against potential legal and professional risks and good communication. The minister informed that medical workers will get broader access to rental housing; equipment in healthcare facilities is being upgraded; a system of protection of medical personnel from possible professional risks is being developed.
About 580 graduates of Gomel State Medical University were assigned their first workplaces on 1 April. In total, 2,600 graduates of medical universities will start working in Belarus this year.
