Vitebsk Regional Department for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment Recognized as the Best

Following the results of last year's work, the Vitebsk regional department was recognized as the winner among the regional departments of the Republican Center for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment of the Population.

Honor and Responsibility

Vitebsk region has always been famous for its health resorts. The northern region of Belarus is a land of numerous blue lakes and rivers, clean forests, and nature reserves. It is not by chance that, according to statistics, most people who want to relax at any time of the year, but especially in the summer, choose Vitebsk region. The natural conditions and therapeutic factors create an excellent opportunity to organize high-quality health improvement in sanatorium-resort organizations, recreation centers, and other institutions. The network of children's health improvement institutions is also widely developed here.

Elena Andreichikova, head of the Vitebsk Regional Department for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment of the Population, told a correspondent of "NG" about the resources of the region's health and sanatorium-resort institutions, what is being done to update them, and who comes to rest and receive treatment in the Pridvinye region:

— First of all, I want to note that our work has received high praise not only from the Republican Center; this is a recognition of the merits of all the region's health resorts, their teams, and gratitude to many thousands of people who received quality rest and treatment in the sanatoriums of Vitebsk region. This is a great honor and responsibility for us, an advance for the future. New big tasks lie ahead.

Vouchers: Who Gets Them and How Many?

There are 13 sanatorium-resort organizations operating in the Vitebsk region, including seven sanatoriums for adults, one for children, one children's rehabilitation and health improvement center, and four student sanatorium-dispensaries. Last year, the region's sanatorium-resort organizations sold almost 69.2 thousand vouchers. Who received them? One-fifth (20.1 percent of the total number) - 13,945 vouchers - were sold to the Republican Center, 20,405 vouchers (29.5 percent) were sold to legal entities, and slightly more than half - 34,844 vouchers (50.4 percent) - were purchased by individuals, i.e., the population.

Some believe that most vouchers are bought by foreign citizens, and at a price favorable to them. This is far from the truth. Last year, 28,310 vouchers were sold to citizens of other countries (primarily Russians), which is practically at the same level as the previous year. As far as I know, other regions are even experiencing a decrease in this indicator. By the way, in 2009, when the sanatorium-resort treatment system was optimized, only 695 foreigners bought vouchers to the health resorts of the Vitebsk region.

Supply and Demand

Of course, a very important issue is how to maximize the occupancy of sanatorium beds, generate more revenue from vouchers and additional paid services.

Last year, revenue from services rendered to foreign citizens for sanatorium-resort treatment and health improvement amounted to 137.2 billion rubles. The growth rate compared to the previous year was 112 percent. In general, the share of vouchers sold to foreign citizens is 40.9 percent of their total number.

This figure is even higher for individual sanatoriums. For example, in the "Lettsy" sanatorium, it is 81 percent, in "Lesnye Ozera" - 78.8, in the "Borovoe" sanatorium - 40.8 percent, in the Lepel Military Sanatorium - 58.7, and in the "Lesnoe" sanatorium - 64.3 percent. It should be taken into account that sanatoriums such as "Naftan", "Rosinka", and "Zhemchuzhina" practically do not work with foreign citizens. Therefore, this indicator for the region as a whole will be lower.

The Most Profitable Investments

These are investments in the system of health improvement and treatment of people. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. The program for the development of the sanatorium-resort health improvement system for the population provides for significant strengthening and expansion of the material and technical base of all health resorts in the Pridvinye region. In 2013 alone, over 27.8 billion rubles were allocated and utilized for these purposes.

For example, at the "Zhemchuzhina" children's rehabilitation and health resort, work has been carried out on a mineral water well, and the construction of a drinking hall is being completed. For the "Rosinka" children's sanatorium of OJSC "Belagrozdrawnitsa", medical equipment worth 2.9 billion rubles was purchased. The construction of a new residential building for 48 people for the parents with children department has begun, and its commissioning is planned for this year. The assembly hall has been renovated, and new chairs and sound equipment have been installed.

At the "Lesnoye" sanatorium of the KGB of Belarus, a water deironing station has been commissioned. At the "Lesnye Ozera" sanatorium, two wooden houses for vacationers have been built, the residential and treatment buildings are connected by a passage, nine additional treatment rooms have been equipped, and a swimming pool is under construction. At the "Zheleznodorozhnik" sanatorium, the reconstruction of the residential building and the construction of a new treatment building with a swimming pool are ongoing.

Attractive Marketing

To successfully meet the forecast development indicators, expand services, improve their quality, and increase revenue from the sale of vouchers and additional paid services, it is necessary to build a marketing policy very competently and accurately, to be able to offer and interest clients. The market for sanatorium and resort services in Belarus is quite saturated, it is necessary to withstand competition and organize work in such a way that the quality of services, the effectiveness of treatment and rest correspond to the cost of the voucher. And this applies to everyone without exception. We must not forget that these are Belarusian health resorts that operate in line with the state policy for the health improvement of the population, primarily in the interests of the citizens of their country.

Children's Resorts are the Best

"It is pleasant to note," emphasized Elena Andreikova, "that two children's health resorts in the Vitebsk region took first place in the republic."

Among the children's sanatoriums in the country, the branch "Rosinka" Children's Sanatorium of OJSC "Belagrozdrawnitsa" was recognized as the winner. And this is far from the first victory in recent years. Among the children's rehabilitation and health resorts, the first place was awarded to the "Zhemchuzhina" Children's Rehabilitation and Health Resort of the Healthcare Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

Other health resorts of the Dvina region also deserve good words and gratitude. Their employees are making every effort to ensure that the population, and especially children, can have a good and beneficial rest, undergo treatment, and at the same time continue their studies in schools that operate in children's health resorts.

The summer health improvement season will begin soon. All sanatorium-resort organizations of the Vitebsk region are actively preparing for mass arrivals for rest and treatment in the health resorts. Employees of our department, specialists on the ground are making maximum efforts to offer everyone quality services, treatment, to well organize the work of health resorts, cultural and entertainment programs, and, if possible, to provide all those who wish with vouchers.

Viktor Chernushenko, "Narodnaya Gazeta"