Republic

Over 258 thousand children in Belarus affected by Chernobyl are entitled to free recuperation

Recuperation and sanatoria treatment of children affected by the Chernobyl accident is one of the most important directions of the social policy in Belarus, first deputy chairman of the Chernobyl committee under the Council of Ministers Vladimir Chernikov has told reporters today. He informed that in line with the legislation more than 311 thousand people, including more than 258 thousand children, affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe are entitled to free sanatoria treatment and recuperation. Recuperation programs are carried out by about 90 medical organizations of Belarus. Most successful in the organization of recuperation of the people exposed to radionuclides are children’s rehabilitation-recuperation centers created by the Chernobyl committee, Vladimir Chernikov believes. These centers cater for big groups of children and have everything necessary to ensure high quality treatment and recuperation, educational process, social-psychological rehabilitation and organization of leisure time of small patients. “All centers are open round the year”, Vladimir Chernikov noted. According to him, in 2005 nine children’s rehabilitation-recuperation center received more than 35 thousand children, or 19 per cent of the total number of children who undertook recuperation programs last year. In 2006 the total capacity of children’s rehabilitation centers in Belarus will grow to 3,240 beds. More than 42,000 children will have an opportunity to improve their health there. Apart from that Vladimir Chernikov reported that within the program “Children of Belarus” a subprogram “Children of Chernobyl” has been implemented spelling out additional measures on healthcare, social and psychological rehabilitation, construction and reconstruction of medical establishments for children affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe. Now within the framework of the subprogram the central regional hospital is being built in Buda-Koshelevo. Children’s diet is also a very important issue on the agenda of children’s recuperation. Schools in Chernobyl-affected regions provide their students with balanced meals free of charge. In 2005-2006 hot meals were provided to more than 203,000 students of schools and colleges, first deputy chairman of the Chernobyl committee informed. Vadimir Chernikov emphasized that all these measures are aimed to preserve and enhance health of children living in the contaminated area and the work will be continued.