This spring, the WHO Country Office in the Russian Federation marked World Health Day and the 70th anniversary of the Organization with a variety of events targeting different audiences and promoting the health for all approach.
The celebrations started with a joint WHO-Ministry of Health press conference on 11 April, focusing on universal health coverage (UHC) and access to health services, and presenting both the progress achieved so far and challenges lying ahead. WHO Representative to the Russian Federation Dr Melita Vujnovic highlighted that, “WHO recognizes the significant progress made in the Russian Federation on the road to UHC, especially in tackling NCD [noncommunicable disease] risk factors, maternal and child health, immunization and infectious diseases. The tasks ahead include expanding the coverage of health services, with particular focus on vulnerable groups. Increasing public financing of the health system and shifting towards people-centred health services are essential to achieving UHC’’. These statements were echoed by Dr Oleg Salagay, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, who stressed that access to health care is the highest priority of the Ministry of Health. Increasing access to primary health care services is essential, especially for people who live in rural and remote areas, taking into account the vast territories of the country.
NCD control and prevention was also among the topics of discussion, as a clear example of the country’s consistent and efficient actions in public health. Professor Oxana Drapkina, Director of the National Medical Research Centre for Preventive Medicine, commented that the crude mortality rate has been decreasing in Russia. She called for further monitoring of the trends in risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity and unhealthy diet – with a low level of fruit and vegetable consumption in particular. UHC includes the design of preventive measures that will address the main risk factors, and which are reflected in the new NCD prevention and control strategy for the Russian Federation, which is based on an intersectoral approach.
UHC and the multidisciplinary paradigm were emphasized on 15 May 2018, when the WHO Country Office brought together key national stakeholders and partners to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Organization and the United Nations presence in the country. “Health for All” became the unifying and inspiring motto for all guests. As Dr Sergey Kraevoy, Deputy Minister of Health, noted, affordable and good-quality health care and an integrated approach to human health are among the pillars that guarantee the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The principle of health as a human right is the basis for long-term cooperation between the Ministry of Health and WHO. This mutually beneficial collaboration would not be possible without the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which promotes the public health agenda and country initiatives internationally.
National partners in the Russian Federation are anticipating such catalysing global events as the United Nations high-level meetings on the prevention and control of NCDs and on tuberculosis, which both take place in September 2018. The country plans to use these platforms to present its good practices and experience.