Translated with AI
The Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) approved an Action Plan for the preparation and implementation of the Year of Health in the Commonwealth in 2026 at a meeting in Minsk, the press service of the Organization's Executive Committee reported.
The decision to declare 2026 a thematic year in the field of healthcare was made at the CIS Heads of State Summit in October 2022. This practice, which dates back to 1999, promotes the development of humanitarian spheres by coordinating the efforts of Commonwealth countries in implementing joint programs and plans.
The document notes that cooperation in healthcare is a priority area of interaction among CIS countries. "Popular health directly impacts work capacity and productivity, which are key factors in the sustainable development of any country," the Council of Heads of Government emphasized in its statement.
The goal of national healthcare strategies is to increase population size and life expectancy, reduce mortality and disability rates, improve accessibility and quality of healthcare, and uphold citizens' rights. Healthcare is viewed as an element of national security, essential for maintaining stability, socioeconomic development, and the intellectual potential of countries.
The action plan consists of ten sections, encompassing approximately 100 activities at both the interstate and national levels. These include improving the regulatory framework, interaction with the World Health Organization (WHO), holding meetings of WHO governing bodies, preventing noncommunicable diseases, improving primary health care, joint scientific research, conferences, congresses, and forums.
Particular attention is paid to the implementation of digital solutions in healthcare, the development of cross-border telemedicine consultations, the training and retraining of medical personnel, the implementation of educational programs for specialists, as well as the International Competition for Young Leaders and scientific and educational projects for researchers from the CIS countries.
The plan provides for the exchange of experience in the implementation of innovative technologies, ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population, preventing and eliminating sanitary emergencies, as well as measures to support and motivate citizens to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The Year of Health will mark the beginning of the practical implementation of the Concept of Cooperation between CIS States in the Field of Public Health, approved by the Council of CIS Heads of Government on June 5, 2025. Joint scientific and practical events, conferences, congresses, exhibitions of new technologies, telemedicine programs, and remote diagnostics are planned for the Commonwealth countries.
