Minister Promises to Do President’s Task Regarding the Disabled in January

(FEDERAL NEWS) Following the Direct Line with Russian citizens, the Russian President commissioned it to Head of the Ministry of Health and Social Development Tatiana Golikova to ease the procedure of re-examining disabled people for their status. To learn firsthand what it means to disabled people, “the first session of the Public Council was held on 18 December, and it tackled the issues of developing the social support, rehabilitation for the disabled and their integration in society”. Lawmakers, experts, journalists and representatives of disabled people’s organizations worked together at the session.

Along with the other issues on the agenda list, the one of re-examination for disability status proved topical and was considered most critically (Note: In the Russian Federation, the Medical and Social Disability Commission is a plenipotentiary state structure, which determines the degree of disablement of a person and accordingly sets due social benefits and payments). The opinions of participants of the session would often differ. This vital procedure, which is to ensure the normal quality of life of disabled people, remains a moral and physical ordeal; incidentally, it is oftentimes formal. The rehabilitation program of a disabled person does not take into account opportunities as they are, and what the person per se thinks is the best for him.

Minister Tatiana Golikova pledged to thoroughly consider the proposals of the voluntary organizations and ordered the working group to put forward initiatives by 15 January 2008 on easing the procedure of disability re-examination. (for more information, go to http://www.rg.ru/gazeta/rg)