| The total number of the population is about 17,000, of them 3,507 children (20.1%), 935 adolescents (5.37%); the share of people over 60 is 22.7%. Health services are provided by the district hospital (180 beds), the polyclinic (500 visits), 2 rural outpatient clinics (in Svensk and Lesnaya, the doctor is available only in Svensk), 17 feldsher-midwife stations (1 specialist is missing). The number of doctor positions (including dentists) is 58.75; of them 51.5 are filled, the number of actual employees is 26. As regards middle-level medical staff, the relevant figures are 189.5, 189.5 and 175. The dynamics of demographic indicators is shown in Figure 1: a low birth rate, a high mortality rate; a negative natural growth of population, and a high infant mortality. Causes of infant mortality include perinatal conditions, congenital developmental disorders and respiratory organs diseases. A high infant mortality rate reflects the quality level of primary health services provided to the population. 
Figure 1. Dynamics of demographic indicators of the Slavgorod District per 1,000 persons. Causes of deaths among adult population include cardio-vascular diseases, neoplasm, intoxications and injuries. It should be borne in mind that the structure of the population includes many aged, single and low-income people. They are the categories of people who fall ill and die most frequently. Counselling support is given once a year for adult population: the regional counselling travelling team is comprised of specialists (gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, cardiologist, etc.); a mobile ultra-sound diagnostic (USD) installation from the Mogilev Regional Diagnostic Centre. For children, assistance is provided by the Mogilev Belarusian Research Institute 'Bel NII EPP', travelling teams of specialists from the Mogilev Regional Diagnostic Centre (USD, general blood analysis for blood platelets, counselling by endocrinal specialist and paediatrician). Analysis of morbidity among children and adults indicates a growing morbidity, both general and primary, in almost all classes. Endocrinal pathology should be mentioned separately (thyroid glands, including multiple nodal forms, sugar diabetes), as well as mental and nervous system disorders. Among adults, there is also a growing number of diseases of blood-circulation system, digestive organs, urogenital system, and osteomuscular system. Among children, the following diseases are frequent: haematogenic organ diseases, urogenital and osteomuscular diseases. Congenital disorders continue to increase in number (in 1995 - 5.1 per 10,000 children; in 1999 - 26.8 and in 2001 - 48.4 cases). Worsening living standards have adverse impact on women's health: 48% of pregnant women have anaemia of different degrees. The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases is gradually growing; alcohol abuse among women is increasing. Indicators of morbidity and mortality point at the inferior quality of primary health services. In addition to problems related to skills of personnel, there are other related problems in the district: equipment has worn out and become obsolescent, portable and fixed WBC and USD diagnostic devices are required, as well as blood analysers, electrical cardiographers, special care equipment for low-weight and premature babies, etc. Almost all rural outpatient units and primary health units do not meet the requirements on provision of quality medical aid, and need repair or reconstruction, not to mention new equipment. |
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