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Russia Expat Health Insurance/ Healthcare System News |
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Although Russia has pioneered some specialized fields of medicine such as laser eye surgery and heart surgery, ironically, the country's medical establishment is generally deficient in hospital equipment, technology, and pharmaceuticals. The healthcare system in Russia has been plagued by its service deficiency and poor quality. Healthcare in Russia is supposed to be universal and free, but this is only in theory. With such poor quality, many Russians have no choice other than paying under-table bribes to get necessary treatment.
The biggest problems are severe lack of funds, medical and technical equipment and supplies, and ineffective organization of healthcare delivery services. However, Russia has begun to address the ongoing problems in the healthcare sector. It is in the process of reforming its medical system by implementing an increase in funding, and introducing measures to increase efficiency. Total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP in Russia has increased from 3.4% in 2004, to 5.3% in 2006.
The entire Healthcare system in Russia was formerly financed by the federal budget. The Healthcare system was submerged in the market environment. The system has no capacity to be an active member in the market. It has found itself in a rather difficult position. As such, one of the most important developments in healthcare financing was the shift of funding from federal to local level. The transfer of healthcare budgeting to the local level has disrupted the former system, which had induced people to travel to specialized medical centers in other regions to get proper medical care. Nonresidential consumers are required to pay for services provided. This has resulted in a distortion of the former system of transferring patients to regional centers for specialized care. The changes in financing have led not only to shifts in proportions of federal and local budgeting, but have also caused real shortages of funds at the federal level and have disrupted entirely the balance in the healthcare system. Most of the federal facilities are still open to offer services that cannot be provided by locally funded facilities. The best manpower is still concentrated in these federal facilities where you can find the best technical equipment, such as the Central Clinic Hospital.
In reality, there are many problems in the Russian healthcare system that could not be solved simply by providing more funds. Current spending is insufficient; there are no clearly defined federal and local health protection policies, no effective programs are in place for monitoring of results, and no open system of control and delegation of responsibilities for state structures and public health institutions. Without these, additional funding is likely to have a negligible effect.
Russia is one of the few nations in the world where life expectancy has declined sharply since 1990. The average Russian can expect to live to the age of 66 which is much less compared to other western countries. The average life expectancy for US and UK is 78 & 79 years old from birth respectively.
For men, the average life expectancy in Russia is about 59, this would mean that many Russian men actually die before they even have a chance to collect their pension at the age 60. It appears that Alcoholism in Russia is one of the main contributing factors that directly impact instances of non-natural death, especially in lowering the life expectancy in men.
Alcohol consumption in Russia nearly tripled compared to 15 years ago. Russia ranks #1 in world alcohol spending. For a while, the State regulated the overall supply of alcohol, and as such, alcoholism in Russia was less severe. However the effect was only temporary. Alcohol consumption in Russia started to increase again in 1987, especially in hard liquor such as the country’s beverage of choice, Vodka. While Russians love Vodka, beer consumption has also increased sharply. This is encouraged by advertisements, symbolizing it as a fashionable trend. In 2007, the annual alcohol consumption in Russia was about 15 litres per head, by comparison to the figure for US 8.4 litres and 11.2 litres in UK.
It is reported that mortality caused directly by alcohol poisoning fell, but alcohol-related illnesses continued to account for one in eight of all deaths in Russia. Heart disease & liver disease claim proportionately more lives than in most parts of the world due to the compounded effect by alcoholism. Death rates from homicide, suicide, auto accidents and cancer are also extremely high.
Prospects for healthcare in Russia are directly linked to the country's future socio-economic development. The future of the healthcare system very much depends on the extent on how healthcare will be funded, be it by the state budget, by special funds, or directly by people. Abandoning the state-approved health protection is a possibility, but the Government will need to seriously consider the consequences of such move.
While the healthcare system in Russia is improving, expatriates may still find the system confusing and the quality of treatment maybe of a lower standard compared to their home country. The only way to truly protect yourself and your loved ones is to put in place a quality health insurance plan.
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Russia Expat Health Insurance |
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Whether you are traveling or working in Russia, Expat Health Insurance policies offered by Globalsurance can assist you to customize the policy coverage to suit your individual needs. This will provide you full protection for yourself and your family while you discover the cultural and historical beauty of Russia.
For more information about Russia, expat health insurance that we can provide, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today. |
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