The medical examination program will include an assessment of reproductive health

From 2024, the medical examination program for Russians will be expanded to include screening to assess the reproductive health of men and women, as well as testing for hepatitis C.

These changes were announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova at the National Healthcare Congress on December 1. The decision was made in the context of government policy aimed at increasing the birth rate.

As Vedomosti clarifies, Golikova noted that 2024 has been declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the Year of the Family. She emphasized the wide spectrum of the concept of “family,” including young, large, healthy and working families. Golikova also clarified that from the beginning of the new year, preventive medical examinations will be available at workplaces.

According to a VTsIOM survey in October, almost 30% of Russians have never undergone a medical examination, reasons including lack of time, confidence in their health and doubts about the quality of the medical examination. Now employers will be able to organize dispensary observation through their own medical departments or enter into contracts with medical organizations.

Another innovation for 2024 is the introduction of screening for hepatitis C antibodies among citizens over 25 years old once every 10 years. This measure was proposed in a draft order of the Ministry of Health published at the end of November. According to the chief freelance infectious disease specialist at the Ministry of Health, Vladimir Chulanov, there are about 700,000 patients with hepatitis C registered in the country.