Br8.4 billion was allocated from the Vitebsk region budget in 2012 for providing citizens with rehabilitation aids.
From the Vitebsk region budget in 2012, Br8.4 billion was allocated for providing citizens with technical means of social rehabilitation, the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's labor, employment, and social protection committee informed a BELTA correspondent.
Prosthetic and orthopedic products were also purchased using the regional budget. Over 9,000 technical means of rehabilitation were issued for use by disabled individuals and war veterans. In accordance with the regional program for creating a barrier-free environment for physically impaired persons, 355 facilities were equipped with barrier-free elements, all of which were included in the 2012 program. Br2.7 billion was directed and utilized for these purposes.
As noted by the committee, support for disabled individuals and pensioners remains one of the most important areas in the region's social policy. Forms and methods of working with specific categories of citizens in need of additional state assistance are further developing in the region. In 2012, the number of citizens receiving home-based services increased from 13,000 to 13,400. This is the most accessible form of social service, allowing incapacitated individuals to remain in their familiar home environment for as long as possible. A sought-after form of social assistance for the elderly and disabled is the provision of one-time social and domestic services at home. The work of utility teams has been intensified, enabling citizens to resolve issues related to receiving social services more promptly.