The indicators provided for by the State Program "People's Health and Demographic Security of the Republic of Belarus" for 2016-2020 have been fulfilled in the Vitebsk region, as reported during the regional executive committee meeting.

The population of the northern region of Belarus is growing. Last year, 13,450 children were born here, with a birth rate of 11.2 per thousand population, which is the best figure in the last 24 years. More babies were born in Vitebsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and seven districts. The peculiar baby boom is mainly due to the fact that more and more women in the region are deciding to become mothers for the second, third, or fourth time. At the same time, a problem is emerging: the number of women of childbearing age in the region is declining, decreasing by almost 5,000 each year. One way to compensate for this "minus" is to reduce the number of abortions, a task our medical professionals are working hard on. In this regard, they have become pioneers, and their methods are being applied throughout the republic.

Mortality rates have also decreased, with the number of deaths reduced by 345 people. It is important to note that infant and overall child mortality have significantly decreased; the region's indicators are among the lowest in Belarus and have already reached the level set for the final year of the State Program for Demographic Security. As a result of the measures taken to organize early diagnosis of oncological diseases, the life expectancy of people with malignant neoplasms has increased. Thanks to interdepartmental cooperation, the number of deaths from external causes has decreased by 17%.

The most important factor for further demographic growth is the reduction in the rate of natural population decline, a trend that has been maintained in the region for the last 7 years. Moreover, natural population growth has been recorded in Vitebsk, Novopolotsk, Braslav, Glubokoye, Dokshitsy, Lepel, Liozno, Postavy, Novolukoml, and Shumilino.

The indicators set by the State Program were achieved despite the fact that

healthcare of the Vitebsk region developed with a budget funding deficit.

– The program indicators were met through compensatory measures, which were provided by all branches of government and structural divisions, – explained Yuri Nikolaevich. – In particular, the optimization of bed capacity alone, without compromising the accessibility and quality of medical care provided, made it possible to save 302 billion undenominated rubles. Resource savings were achieved through the creation of integrated structures, optimization of unused areas and buildings for subsequent use, rational placement of structural divisions, and distribution of funds among institutions based on the actual medical care provided. The volume of inpatient care significantly decreased in favor of less costly outpatient polyclinic care. Repair and construction work on healthcare facilities was carried out by own efforts and largely with funds from extra-budgetary activities. Thus, through the provision of paid services, 451 billion undenominated rubles were received in 2015, and 665 billion in 2016.

This policy in the organization of healthcare in the region will be continued in 2017. Only rational, economically sound use of resources will ensure the effective operation of the industry, and in conditions of their deficit, the accessibility and quality of medical care.

Under conditions of strict economy, **Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev** strongly recommended not to scatter funds, but to concentrate them on the most important areas and facilities of the industry.

Thus, considering the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and mortality from them, the focus will be on X-ray endovascular surgery. In Vitebsk, two angiographs were introduced in 2016 alone, and they are already yielding results in reducing the number of myocardial infarctions. Similar complexes are planned to be installed sequentially in Polotsk, Orsha, and Braslav. For the health of women and children, the creation of an obstetric and pediatric therapeutic center in the regional center is planned. Measures are planned to reduce premature births and decrease