russia - health workers sacked
WORKERS, JULY 2004 ISSUE
Around 300,000 Russian doctors and health workers, half the health workforce, are expected to be sacked as part of the 'reform' and 'modernisation' of the Russian health service.
Such is the latest proposal from the Russian government — enthusiastically supported by the World Bank. More than 500,000 hospital beds and wards are expected to be shut.
Russia spends 2.9% of its GDP on health. This is 80% less than comparable nations in the West. One of the last remaining jewels from the days of the Soviet Union, cradle-to-grave health care throughout the vast lands of Russia, is to be demolished. Private clinics and private healthcare will be fostered to fill the void.