The Russian Ministry of Health and the National Medical Chamber Signed Cooperation Agreement

The agreement intends to develop mechanisms for managing the industry and to improve organizational aspects through the public-private partnership—self-regulation of the healthcare industry.

Leonid Roshal, President of the National Medical Chamber, said, "This agreement is the first step in defining the role and mechanisms of influence of the medical community on the policy and key challenges of healthcare development. Without securing this right, the authorities will not duly respect the opinion of HCPs."

Chairmans of the Coordinating Council Leonid Roshal and RF Minister of health Veronika Skvortsova

Chairmans of the Coordinating Council Leonid Roshal and RF Minister of health Veronika Skvortsova

This cooperation is aimed at tackling the most pressing issues of the industry s development. Amongst others, such issues include improving the qualification of HCPs and developing continuous medical education. Providing access to quality resources and professional development is an especially topical issue for the HCPs in Russian regions, in particular, in remote rural areas.

Under this cooperation, the NMC intends to provide means for the protection of HCPs professional liability. The agreement has initiated the development of a legal framework related to IME.

Moreover, the NMC intends to participate in the development of clinical guidelines and standards for the provision of medical aid.

According to Mr. Roshal, improvement of HCPs well-being will become one of thekey priorities, which will cover financial incentives and social guarantees.

To address these challenges, the NMC will improve the legislative framework and set up joint coordination bodies. Additionally, the NMC will recommend specialists to join trelevant committees headed by independent professionals from the Russian Ministry of Health.

It is worth noting that some of the NMC representatives are already members of the Ethics Council and the Council for the Development of Continuous Medical Education under the Russian Ministry of Health.

The NMC currently comprises over 80 professional and territorial medical organizations. It is the largest medical public organization after trade unions.