Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Belarus (Ratification: 1979)

Article 2(1) and (3) of the Convention. National policy on nursing services and nursing personnel. In response to the Committee’s 2014 direct request, the Government indicates that it gives effect to the provisions of the Convention through the Conceptual Framework for the Development of Nursing, which is being implemented through numerous programmes, including the National Socioeconomic Development Programme 2016–20, the National Public Health and Demographic Security Programme 2016–20, the National Social Protection and Employment Programme 2016–20, and the National Education and Youth Policy Programme 2016–20. The Government reports that a new draft conceptual framework for nursing has been developed with the active involvement of specialist staff from regional and municipal healthcare authorities and civil society organizations. The new framework focuses on, inter alia, increasing the prestige and significance of nursing personnel in the healthcare system, and increasing the professional skills of paramedical personnel. In addition, the Government indicates that general practice nurses and physician assistants constitute a new element in the strategy for the development of nursing, with primary care facilities introducing a team principle into healthcare at the district level, through teams consisting of a district physician or general practitioner, a district or general practice nurse and a physician assistant. The Government also indicates that, in 2018, it revised the job profile of primary care nurses. As a result, primary care nurses now enjoy certain rights, including the right to make suggestions regarding the working conditions required to ensure high-quality performance, the right to join professional and civil society bodies and the right to access professional education. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the joint action plan developed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus and the National Committee of the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers to carry out a series of measures aimed at implementing the main provisions of the National Socioeconomic Development Programme 2016–20. The plan envisages joint action to, among others, improve public health, provide productive employment and enhance social support to people in vulnerable situations. First-level trade union organizations of healthcare workers conduct oversight of working conditions of healthcare workers, protecting their employment-related interests. Based on the findings of the trade union bodies, management of healthcare institutions take measures to improve the working conditions of paramedical personnel and standardize performance requirements. The Committee notes that, according to the World Bank document PAD1711 published in 2016 (Report No: PAD1711) no programmes for training of general practice nurses are being implemented in any of the medical colleges in Belarus. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the nature and impact of measures implemented as part of the conceptual framework for nursing as well as measures implemented under the joint action plan, particularly with respect to measures taken to improve the working conditions and professional competencies of nursing personnel. The Committee further requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which it ensures the effective application of Article 2(2)(a) (education and training appropriate to the exercise of the functions of the nursing personnel).

Article 5(1). Participation of nursing personnel in the planning of services. In response to the Committee’s previous request, the Government refers to the activities of the National Council on Nursing, which include calling an annual meeting to review the work of paramedical personnel as well as organizing conferences and roundtables on relevant topics for this group of workers. The Government adds that a nursing council is present in every region, supported by a chief external expert in the organization of the work of paramedical professionals, who is an official from the Ministry of Health. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide information on the manner in which the participation of nursing personnel in the planning of services and consultation are promoted, as contemplated in Article 5(1). The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide a copy of the instruments establishing the composition and rules of procedure of the National Council on Nursing Services, as well as detailed information on the activities and outcomes of the measures implemented by the National Council. It further requests the Government to provide information on the activities of regional nursing councils, their impact on the planning of healthcare services and the measures taken to promote the participation of the planning of nursing services and consultation on decisions that concern them.