The Ministry of Health is in charge of managing the health sector through health departments belonging to the Regional and Minsk Municipal Executive Committees.

The 1993 healthcare law maintains that public spending on healthcare should not be less than 10 percent of the national income. All citizens in Belarus have the right to free health care in state-funded institutions.

The National Health Service

The health service is funded through general taxation. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance agree the health sector budget and then determine the percentage of tax revenue that will be given to healthcare.

Unlike most other countries in Europe, employees are not required to contribute to the health budget. All citizens and registered residents of Belarus are entitled to a wide-ranging package of free health care benefits in state-funded institutions.

Medicines prescribed for outpatients, some dental services including false teeth, cosmetic surgery, spectacles, visits to health resorts and some preventive examinations will incur costs. The government decides what each group of society receives in terms of health services.

Citizens who belong to vulnerable groups of society e.g. pregnant women, war veterans, diabetics and tuberculosis patients do not have to pay any charges. Parents must, however pay part of the cost for their children’s prescription medicines.

Most people accept that cosmetic surgery and visits to health care resorts are non-essential treatments, but the majority of the population disagree with being charged for outpatient prescription drugs. This unfair system encourages people to postpone treatment or seek admission to hospital, because all drugs prescribed in hospital are free.

What do you do if you get ill?

Healthcare in Belarus can be limited in rural areas. If you fall seriously ill you should try to make contact with your Embassy or local Consular department.

If you need an ambulance, the emergency number is 103.