MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – Belarus' response to new challenges of the new epidemiological situation in the world should be measured, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko said as he addressed a session of the Health Ministry board, BelTA has learned.
The deputy prime minister noted that the positive epidemiological situation in the country cannot be the reason to be complacent and to rest on laurels. “Human activity constantly creates new challenges,” he said. “Today it is coronavirus. Tomorrow it will be something else. Our response must always be measured and as effective as possible.”
According to him, there is a need to analyze everything one more time, to ensure that all algorithms are worked out in advance, to calculate necessary forces and means and to train personnel. The deputy prime minister emphasized the importance of the public health service and its priority areas of work. This applies to the state of catering outlets, venues for cultural and mass events, sporting events, etc.
There has been no flu epidemic for several years, which has been the result of the vaccination program, Healthcare Minister Vladimir Karanik noted. However new threats are emerging today. A lot of people, who ignore vaccination, return from abroad with a high viral load and require hospital treatment.
With regard to the performance of the public health service in 2019, thanks to a systemic set of activities the service has ensured a stable epidemiological situation. There were no sickness cases across 24 specific diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, rubella, etc. The acute viral hepatitis sickness rate reduced.
Measles was one of the burning issues in 2019, noted Natalya Zhukova, Deputy Health Minister - Chief Sanitary Doctor of Belarus. A total of 201 measles cases were registered in Belarus, which was fewer than in other European countries. That was due to the high level of vaccination. Over 89,000 people were additionally vaccinated during the period when measles cases were registered.
