LocationsPublic health has taken centre stage in Belarus’s sustainable development strategy, with officials adopting an integrated approach that bridges social, economic, and environmental dimensions of wellbeing.
Belarus Strengthens Public Health with Eyes on Sustainable Development
April 28, 2025
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
Public health has taken centre stage in Belarus’s sustainable development strategy, with officials adopting an integrated approach that bridges social, economic, and environmental dimensions of wellbeing.
Over the past five years, the country has faced a series of public health crises -COVID-19, HIV, tuberculosis, and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Yet Belarus has managed to restore pre-pandemic health indicators while strengthening its healthcare infrastructure for future threats. At the heart of this progress lies a concerted effort by the state, international organizations, and civil society to modernize healthcare delivery. Doctors and medical professionals continue to save lives using modern techniques and advanced technology.
Modern medical equipment worth over US$1 million was purchased and delivered to Mogilev Regional Hospital.
Photo: Mogilev Regional Hospital/UNDP Belarus
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Belarus’s Ministry of Health, has equipped more than 150 hospitals - including all regional and over 100 district-level facilities - with cutting-edge technology. Some 3,300 pieces of medical equipment have been distributed nationwide, empowering doctors to leverage advanced diagnostics and treatment methods.
A Rising Tide of Chronic Disease
Despite these efforts, Belarus contends with an escalating challenge: non-communicable diseases, which now dominate the nation’s health landscape. Cases of polymorbidity - where patients suffer multiple chronic conditions simultaneously - are climbing, alongside under-researched “orphan” illnesses requiring novel treatments. Autoimmune, endocrine, and nervous system disorders are surging, with new endocrine disease diagnoses rising by 22% annually since 2022, while nervous system and autoimmune conditions have increased by over 10% each year.
Disability rates, too, have climbed - up 7% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Circulatory diseases and cancers account for nearly two-thirds of new disability cases, with 70.7 first-time disability registrations per 10,000 citizens.
A gender gap in mortality persists as well. Belarusian men now live a decade less than women, succumbing disproportionately to heart attacks, strokes, and cancers. Underscoring the urgency, a UNDP-led survey found 66% of Belarusians aged 45 -69 carry three or more risk factors for chronic diseases - a statistic that underscores the need for lifestyle interventions and early detection campaigns.
According to the STEPS study conducted in Belarus as part of the UNDP BELMED project, 66% of adults aged 45 to 69 have three or more risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases.
Progress in Prevention and Maternal Health
Belarus has made notable strides in preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and syphilis. In 2016, it became one of the first countries certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating MTCT of both infections - a milestone bolstered by universal antenatal screening, antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women, and robust psychosocial support.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
Now, Belarus is poised to become the first nation globally to achieve “triple elimination,” adding hepatitis C to its MTCT prevention successes.
Legal reforms have accompanied medical advances. UNDP has assisted in drafting policies to combat HIV-related stigma and improve treatment adherence, including revising criminal laws affecting people living with HIV. Meanwhile, procurement of antiretroviral drugs - particularly for newborns - remains critical.
UNDP will continue supporting Belarus in strengthening its HIV and TB prevention and treatment systems until 2027. This includes providing antiretroviral therapy and procuring medications to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in newborns.
The Road Ahead: A Holistic Vision
Фото: Siarhei Gapon/UNDP in Belarus
UNDP will continue its efforts to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their complications, with consideration for regional, gender, and age-specific factors.
In 2026–2027, plans are underway to establish an Interregional Center for specialized and high-tech medical care in one of the regions affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This initiative will ensure timely, high-quality healthcare for the local population, adhering to the critical 'golden hour' principle for life-threatening conditions.
Over the next five years, UNDP will take a comprehensive approach to enhancing public health. Key priorities include improving health literacy, promoting healthy lifestyles, adopting modern diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation methods, and advancing digital health technologies. Special emphasis will be placed on ensuring access to effective medicines, targeted treatment for rare and orphan diseases, and addressing mental health challenges.
Special support will be provided to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and patients living with HIV or tuberculosis. To maximize impact, the organization will foster partnerships between government agencies, healthcare institutions, and community organizations.
Belarus's experience demonstrates that comprehensive healthcare succeeds only through intersectoral collaboration and alignment with national priorities, both in healthcare and the country’s overall sustainable development.
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