Region

VITEBSK, 10 March (BelTA) – Medical institutions of Vitebsk Oblast Plan to increase the export of medical services up to Br17 billion in 2011, Head of the Healthcare Department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Yuri Derkach told a press conference. In 2010 the Vitebsk Oblast’s export of medical service doubled over 2009. In January 2011 doctors of Vitebsk Oblast rendered $100,000 worth of services to the foreign patients, while in 2010 this figure was about $450,000. The medical institutions of the region underwent a large-scale upgrading. Some Br43 billion were allocated for this purpose. The medical institutions are equipped with state-of-art facilities. Vitebsk doctors get familiar with the cutting-edge technologies. The development of high-technology healthcare services at the regional level provides an opportunity to take the advantage of geographical location of Vitebsk Oblast and increase the volume of exports of services. A significant number of foreign patients are from the Russian Federation, Lithuania and Latvia, with border Vitebsk Oblast. Foreign tourists can combine the recreation on the lakes of Vitebsk Oblast with healthcare hospitals. For the convenience of foreign patients Vitebsk Oblast has created a special center of medical tourism, which promotes medical services to foreign markets. The region also designed a web-site which informs about the register of medical services in the region and other related information. Services of local proctologists, cardiologists, dentists, and obstetrician-gynecologists are in demand among the foreigners. Increasing the exports of healthcare services makes it possible to earn money for further development of medical care, make high-technology services more available for local residents, and promote professional growth of healthcare professionals, said Yury Derkach.

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