Opinion: Exchange of experience between regions help Belarus, Russia address similar issues

GOMEL, 26 May (BelTA) - The exchange of experience in healthcare between the regions of Belarus and Russia makes it possible to find solutions to similar problems faster, Chairman of the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers Vyacheslav Shilo said as he met with a delegation of the Kursk Oblast government and the Russian regional trade union of public health professionals in Gomel on 26 May, BelTA has learned.

Referring to the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Confederation of Trade Unions of Healthcare Workers in Minsk, Vyacheslav Shilo said: “When we talk to our colleagues from different CIS countries, we see that the problems and goals are similar although the healthcare systems of our countries are developing differently. In order to solve some problems and achieve some goals, trade unions act as partners to government structures.”

According to the chairperson, the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers analyzes staff turnover in medical institutions, retention at the first workplace, and migration of medical personnel to large cities or abroad. Aspects of the mentoring system were specified with the participation of trade unions. In general, a centralized approach has been developed to address the problems of human resources in the healthcare industry.

“Exchange of experience both within the country and between the regions of the two countries [Belarus and Russia] let us find faster ways to solve similar problems and introduce new methods of training. By learning, we evolve. We are not only ready to learn, but also to share our experience,” the leader of the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers said.

Kursk Oblast Vice Governor Andrey Belostotsky supported Vyacheslav Shilo. He suggested holding annual joint meetings on healthcare at the level of the two regions on the most relevant topics. “Exchange of knowledge and experience in a live format will bring the most positive result,” the representative of the Kursk regional administration said.

The parties also discussed issues of interaction in youth policy, development of mentoring and strengthening of human resources in medical institutions of both countries.

The Russian delegation also got familiar with the work of the National Scientific and Practical Center for Radiation Medicine and Human Ecology and the Gomel City Clinical Emergency Hospital, and learned about the activities of the trade unions of the institutions.