A rural doctor from Horadok runs a video blog where he teaches health and fitness rules
The Veremeyevskaya outpatient clinic is located on the outskirts of Horadok and serves the residents of Gagarin Street in the district center, the agro-town of Veremeyevka, the village of Prudok, where a military unit is located, and a number of smaller settlements. The area is home to about 2.2 thousand adults and 360 children, including 20 under one year old. The institution is headed by a young specialist, general practitioner Andrey Egorov. He graduated from Vitebsk Medical University in 2013, completed his internship at the outpatient clinic, and then came here by assignment.
— Our area of responsibility is large, as the villages are scattered, so we have to cover significant distances to reach every sick person, — specifies Andrey Olegovich.
In addition to the doctor, two paramedics, a nurse, and a cleaner work at the outpatient clinic. Specialists receive citizens, respond to calls for emergency medical assistance, and visit large settlements several times a month so that people, especially the elderly, do not have to travel to the district center for a doctor's consultation or medication.
The outpatient clinic has a pharmacy, ECG equipment, and a two-bed day hospital where infusions, injections, physiotherapy, and magnetotherapy are administered. A dentist will soon be on staff, for whom all the necessary equipment is available. A examination room has also been equipped for women.
— In summer, there are few patients; their number increases in the autumn-winter period when the probability of colds increases. Of the total number of patients, about 50% complain of these ailments, — says Andrey Egorov. — The other half are elderly citizens, disabled people with chronic diseases, usually heart patients, who need regular prescriptions. Children most often suffer from gastroenteritis and ARVI.
The head of the outpatient clinic's term of assignment is ending soon, but he does not intend to leave the Horadok region — there is in the district center
housing, and his wife works at the local hospital.
— In addition, a rural doctor gains significant practical skills that influence further professional growth, — is convinced Andrey Egorov. — While experienced colleagues in cities can solve a problem for you, we in the outpatient clinic have to rely only on ourselves.
The young specialist not only actively improves his medical skills but also promotes a healthy lifestyle by his personal example. He enjoys working out at the gym and outdoors, and has started a YouTube video blog called "Doctor Egorov's Diary," where he talks about how to always stay in great shape.
Eduard KAROLEVICH, photos by the author "Vitebskiye Vesti".