Irina Yarovaya, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma, has put forward a legislative initiative aimed at drastically reducing the timeframes for regional health ministries to review appeals from Russian citizens concerning the quality and availability of medical care.
Speaking at the “Digital Technologies for Health Preservation: Innovations and Import Substitution” session during the Eastern Economic Forum, Yarovaya emphasized, “I believe it is imperative to amend federal legislation. This amendment would mandate regional health ministries to process citizens` requests regarding hospitalization and access to medical assistance within an expedited timeframe.”
She highlighted that the current 30-day period allotted for responding to such appeals is “completely unacceptable” when a person`s health and life are on the line. The Deputy Speaker passionately stated, “When someone is in distress and desperately needs help, they simply do not have the luxury of waiting; they must be saved without delay.”
Yarovaya critically assessed the existing response mechanisms: “In other critical situations, we immediately activate emergency protocols. But what happens if a patient is denied hospitalization, or if an individual with an unclear diagnosis remains in a hospital for a month while their condition deteriorates, and no expert medical consultation (TMK) is conducted? How should we address these vital questions? In my view, through a highly efficient and rapid process.” She concluded by affirming, “Therefore, I will be proposing legislative changes that will establish significantly shortened deadlines for the consideration of such crucial appeals.”
Furthermore, Yarovaya asserted that embedding this requirement directly into law, making it a mandatory obligation, would undeniably ensure consistent and equal protection for both patients and medical professionals across all circumstances.
The 10th Eastern Economic Forum is currently taking place from September 3rd to 6th in Vladivostok, hosted at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University. This year`s overarching theme for the EEF is “The Russian Far East – Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity.”
