The development of healthcare system in Tuva, 1944-2017

• Main Author: Mikhail A. Semenov
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Novye Issledovaniâ Tuvy 2019-09-01
• Series: Novye Issledovaniâ Tuvy
• Subjects: здравоохранение; медицина; история медицины; Тува; медицинские работники; история Тувы; советский период; постсоветский период
• Online Access: https://nit.tuva.asia/nit/article/view/868

The article examines the stages of public healthcare system in the Republic of Tuva in 1944-2017. Informed by the study of the dynamics of the medical network and medical personnel in the region, the article  analyzes the main directions of its evolution, including spatial development. The period between 1944-1960 saw the rise of the Tuvan healthcare system. The main objective was to achieve the widest possible spatial distribution of medical care in order to ensure maximum coverage of the population. A wide network of outpatient and inpatient facilities had been established. In the next period (1961-1980) the pace of the development of the medical network slowed down as it was adapting to the needs of the emerging industry of Tuva. New institutions were set up primarily in fast-growing industrial settlements. The 1980s (1981-1990) saw an attempt to further develop of the medical network and reach transition to a new qualitative level. The period from 1991 to early 2000s was the time of stagnation and local crises in various areas of healthcare system. Finally, the last two decades brought transformation of the healthcare system. Medical care has concentrated in larger settlements, first of all in the regional capital Kyzyl, the total number of medical institutions in the region has decreased, and the amount of medical and inpatient aid took a sharp decrease. At the same time, there has been a continuing increase in healthcare personnel potential in the Republic. This concentration has its positive and negative aspects.