Children under three years old in Belarus will be provided with free medicines from April 1

March 23, Minsk /Corr. BELTA/. Children under three years of age in Belarus will be provided with medicines free of charge, and Group III persons with disabilities will receive a 50% discount. The corresponding decree No. 139 "On preferential provision of medicines to certain categories of citizens" was signed by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on March 22, BELTA was informed by the press service of the head of state. The document is adopted for the purpose of additional social support for these categories of citizens. In particular, the decree grants children under three years of age the right to free provision of medicines dispensed by prescription within the list of essential medicines. Group III persons with disabilities are granted the right to a 50% discount on the cost of medicines dispensed by prescription within the list of essential medicines for the treatment of diseases that led to disability. These measures are aimed at strengthening state policy in the sphere of providing social benefits to the most vulnerable categories of citizens, ensuring the accessibility and targeted nature of social assistance, and improving the quality of life for Group III persons with disabilities and families raising children under three years of age. The decree comes into force on April 1, 2012. -0-