Activities of state authorities in the field of healthcare in the Ukrainian SSR in the 1920s

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to study and analyze the practical experience of state authorities in the field of healthcare in the 1920s, assess the impact of political factors, in particular the introduction of a new economic policy, on the development of medicine, and determine its quality and accessibility for different categories of the population. The methodological basis of the scientific research consists of the fundamental principles of historical research: systematicity, objectivity, historicism, as well as special methods, including problem-chronological, comparative, and statistical. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive coverage of the state of healthcare development in the 1920s based on the introduction of new sources into scientific circulation. Conclusions. In the 1920s, the Soviet government identified healthcare as a priority area in social policy. Within a short period of time, the necessary regulatory and legal framework was created. However, post-war devastation and economic difficulties led to low-quality medical services and their provision to only a limited number of people. There was a shortage of equipment, qualified specialists and funding. Medical workers received meagre salaries, which negatively affected the quality of their work. This forced doctors to work several jobs, which did not encourage them to improve their professional skills. Poor-quality medical care was often the basis for lawsuits by patients. Workers and employees were mainly covered by social insurance, but the small size of the newly created insurance funds did not allow for the full financing of medical services. Party and state officials enjoyed privileged access to medical care, with separate medical facilities created for them and additional privileges granted. Sanatorium and resort treatment was mainly provided to people who were unable to receive effective care at their place of work or residence. Representatives of the working class, the backbone of the ruling power, had priority in receiving appropriate treatment. Peasants suffered from a lack of funds, specialists, medicines and transport, which often forced them to turn to traditional healers due to the inaccessibility of medical care. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society played a certain role in providing medical services to the population.