The reconstruction of the polyclinic of the central district hospital is planned to be completed in Rossony at the end of August

The work here began in January of this year. Initially, as the chief physician of the hospital, Alexey Shchelkun, explained, they planned to do cosmetic repairs, as there were no funds for more. But when they just started, they realized that a complete reconstruction of the building was needed.

– This is a post-war building from 1952. And since then, neither the floors nor the roof have been changed. Cracks were periodically plastered, walls were painted, but there was no major overhaul. The sanitary station constantly had claims against us regarding ventilation and patient admission conditions, – explains Alexey Shchelkun.

In the system of the Rossonskaya Central District Hospital, the polyclinic was the weak link. Now the hospital buildings, where reconstruction has been carried out over the past five years, meet all the requirements of a modern medical institution. Major repairs were carried out here in stages, starting with the children's department and ending with the infectious diseases department.

Previously, the chief physician says, people were reluctant to be admitted to the hospital, but now there is no need to persuade them. Comfortable conditions have been created for patients and staff, advanced equipment and new furniture have been purchased, and paid wards have been opened. Foreigners come to Rossony for treatment, thus the institution earns money from the export of medical services.

– But we didn't get around to the polyclinic. You could say that the head of the district, Alexander Shubsky, pushed us, who insisted on the reconstruction. Subbotniks were announced in the urban settlement. All the people responded, supported the initiative of the local authorities. The employees of the district executive committee set an example, who, led by the chairman, worked on pouring the floors, – says Alexey Shchelkun.

The scope of work was large: it was necessary to completely replace communications, change floors, roof, windows, and doors. This required considerable funds, which, understandably, the district did not have. Then help came from the region. During a visit to the region, the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, seeing the desire of the residents of Rossony to put the polyclinic in order, gave instructions to help. By a decision of the regional Council of Deputies, 2 billion rubles were allocated.

The reconstruction will allow for the separate placement of the therapeutic,

surgical and dental departments. The latter plans to engage in metal-ceramic dental prosthetics. Previously, residents of the district had to travel to other cities, but in the near future, Rossony will start generating its own income, including foreign currency, by serving patients from neighboring countries.

Another idea that will also be implemented is the opening of a laundry service. There is no such service in the hospital or the urban settlement, and laundry has to be transported to Novopolotsk. With its own laundry, it will be possible to save up to 3-4 million rubles per month, as well as accept orders from other organizations.

– We have preliminarily agreed with the Sports and Recreation Center that our patients will be able to undergo rehabilitation there. They have a good swimming pool, which is gladly visited not only by local residents but also by Russians. It is possible to engage in therapeutic physical exercise and, again, earn from the export of medical services, – the chief physician shares his plans.

This year, six young specialists will join the hospital. This will allow for the opening of a psychological, psychiatric, and narcological assistance office at the polyclinic. Here, in particular, anonymous treatment for alcoholism and withdrawal from binge drinking will be provided. In addition, there are plans to master acupuncture and apitherapy. An apidome has already been installed in the yard, 4 hives have been made, and bees will be brought in soon to commence treatment. By the way, this is also an initiative of Alexander Shubsky, who also advised planting an apple orchard and establishing a vegetable garden. The medical institution has the space for this, as well as the staff's desire to transform the territory into a modern and cozy hospital town. Its outlines are already becoming visible: last year, a church was built next to the medical building, a maple alley is growing, and sculptures adorn the recreation area. And soon, the renovated polyclinic building, which the local authorities and residents of Rossony decided to renovate together, will harmoniously fit into the overall picture.

Tatyana PASTERNACK, "Vitebskiye vesti". Photos by the author.