CINDI Highlights • Number 8 - Health Promotion Agency

6
Belarus
Dr Alexander Grakovich
Programme Director
In 2002 the CINDI Programme in Belarus focused
on the formation of a coalition involving the
leaders of the health administrative bodies in
various regions. The work was aimed at regular
activities in the prevention of noncommunicable
diseases.
Primary health care
The national programme ‘Development of primary health
care’ was progressed and, in December 2002, was approved by the
government. Work involving the majority of specialists from the Ministry of
Health continued, with emphasis initially on general practitioners and sector
therapists from polyclinics in order to control the prevalence of major risk
factors of noncommunicable diseases.
Close contacts were established with the city of Minsk health committee
leaders who were satisfied with the Belarus Centre for Medical Technologies
results in the area of primary prevention of noncommunicable diseases. The
results were based on studies at polyclinic No 36 in Minsk. It was decided to
set up additional centres in each of the eight districts of Minsk. The formation
of similar centres in each regional city of Belarus is under discussion.
The CINDI Health Monitor survey, which included four demonstration zones,
was implemented with a total of 3,174 people involved. The social study
aimed at monitoring the implementation of the National Programme on Healthy
Life was conducted in all regions of Belarus with a total of 1,100 respondents
covered.
Effective actions were undertaken by the CINDI Programme team in the
preparation of guidelines and methodical materials for general practitioners.
Four training seminars for physicians in the republic were also conducted.
Hypertension management
The implementation of the Ministry of Health order on the management of
hypertension permitted the involvement of physician-therapists in activities
controlling the major risk factors of cardiovascular and other
noncommunicable diseases. The emphasis was placed on nutrition correction,
increase of physical activity, quitting smoking and its prevention. Work was
also undertaken with groups of hypertension patients.
Smoking
The Quit & Win smoking cessation campaign was conducted in Belarus for
the fourth time. An estimated record number of 9,000 people took part.
Smoking prevention and restriction activities were actively carried out among
adolescents and young people at health centres.
Nutrition
The majority of Ministry of Health specialists were involved in nutrition
correction work to help decrease the risk of the development of
noncommunicable diseases. Such examples of work with Belarussian
citizens included the ‘School of healthy diet’ and ‘School of diabetes’ which
were carried out through polyclinics and health centres.
Further information
The CINDI Programme in Belarus is managed by a Coordinating Council on
Control and Development of the Programme. For further information, please
contact CINDI Programme Director, Dr Alexander Grakovich, Director of the
Belarus Centre for Medical Technologies, Computer Systems, Administration
and Management of Health, 7-a P. Brovki Str, 220600 Minsk, Republic of
Belarus. Tel: +375 172 32 3080; Fax: +375 172 32 3080; E-mail:
belcmt@belcmt.belpak.minsk.by