Petrishenko: healthy lifestyle promoted in Belarus

State authorities support people in their desire to lead a healthy lifestyle – as noted by Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Petrishenko, BelTA reports

As he visited an opening ceremony of a school and a kindergarten in Molodechno today, Mr. Petrishenko noted that the country’s state social aspects meet the best global practice, while infrastructure development is among the elements promoting a healthy lifestyle.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, almost 90 percent of kindergarten-age children are considered absolutely healthy in Belarus, but their recuperation is still needed. To ensure this, physical activity is important. "Teachers, parents and a child create a triad that should work jointly to improve health. In this case, there will be less burden on the healthcare system,” he added.

Mr. Petrishenko recalled that, on behalf of the Head of State, the Healthy Cities and Villages programme is being implemented in the country since 2019 – uniting 154 localities by now. “In Belarus, about 2.5m people are actively engaged in physical culture and sports. Actually, this figure is probably higher, but the aspect of regularity is important in this regard. Children should be involved," he said, adding, “There are 23,000 sports facilities around the country, and we attentively monitor them – so that they operate well and bring benefit to our people, taking into account large sums of money invested into these objects by the state.”

In addition, the Active Longevity national strategy – aimed at the elderly – is being realised in Belarus. Around 378,000 people continue to work after retirement in the country – leading an active, healthy lifestyle, uniting into clubs, doing sports, dancing, skiing, playing football and hockey. "The programme is running until 2030, but we are already studying what we have implemented and what we have not in terms of improving urban infrastructure. It is impossible to lead an active, mobile lifestyle if there are no appropriate infrastructure facilities," Mr. Petrishenko is convinced.

photos by Belarus' Healthcare Ministry