[Health in the USSR in the era of Perestroika]

For years, the Health Service of the USSR was considered a model and a guide. Countries in the Third World were invited to follow its various elements in organizing their own national health systems. But, since August 1987, everybody has known that the Health Service of the USSR is in a very bad situation. Official reports, journals of the Party and declarations of the health authorities all emphasized the catastrophic state of the health care organization in USSR: rising mortality rates, alcohol and drug abuse, extensive pollution, hospitals without hygiene or equipment, lack of professionalism and extended corruption among medical doctors and other health workers, patients' dissatisfaction etc... Of special concern are the cardiovascular and maternal mortality rates which are now much higher than in other countries. In the wake of perestroïka, a plan of reform was initiated by the Party and the Government, and was announced in 1988 by Health Minister E.N. Tchazov. The basic principle of the Health Service in the USSR remains prevention. Nevertheless, a great number of new measures will be implemented. Health information and care will be brought to the people by health workers. Mass screening for the most frequent diseases will be performed. Computers will be used on a large scale for managing high risk groups. Health centers will be strengthened. But the most revolutionary element of the reform will be the extension of the "paying sector", with increased number of facilities having financial autonomy. These facilities provide care and require some payment from the patients. They existed previously, but in the future they will be increased and strengthened. This means that the patients will have to pay more money but the services will be likely improved. The future will show whether the plan will succeed or fail.