"Medical volunteers are one of the most important volunteer movements in the country": healthcare Volunteers Forum launched at the RUSSIA EXPO

On April 4, volunteers from different parts of the country gathered at the International RUSSIA EXPO. At the opening ceremony, volunteers met with representatives of the Ministry of Health and heads of major volunteer organizations. The event was organized with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and will last until April 7.

The opening of the All-Russian Forum was attended by guests of honor: Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Tatyana Semyonova, Chairman of the State Duma Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Youth Policy Artyom Metelev, Head of the Department of Affairs, Civil Service and Legal Support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Maxim Samostesh, Chairman of the Russian Red Cross Pavel Savchuk, Chairman of the All-Russian Public Movement "Medical Volunteers" Anastasia Zatsepurina.

As part of the forum opening, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Tatyana Semyonova voiced Vladimir Putin's message to the medical volunteers' movement.

"Over the past years, your movement has earned well-deserved authority by its real deeds and initiatives, sincere care for those who need support and attention, and has united in its ranks thousands of like-minded people for whom volunteering in healthcare has become a cause and meaning of life. I am convinced that medical volunteers will expand the horizons of their activity, pay tireless attention to the fulfillment of demanded initiatives in the social sphere. I wish you success in your challenging but very important profession," President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stated in his written address.

Tatyana Semyonova also noted the important contribution that medical volunteers make to the development of medical volunteerism in the country.

Photo: Maxim Blinov/Fotohost-RIA News agency

"In fact, every task that the country faces is picked up by the medical volunteer movement. The department I supervise, as well as the Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko, consider medical volunteers to be our army, which allows us to realize the strategic tasks we face. Medical volunteers are the crucial pillar of Russian healthcare, for which I express my deep gratitude to you," said Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Tatiana Semyonova in her speech.

"It seemed like only yesterday that we came up with the initiative to create a small project, and since then more than 10 years have passed. No one at that time could even dream that it would grow into such a huge and important movement for our country. At first we were treated with apprehension, but we made a step forward, and now thousands of medical institutions and hundreds of educational organizations have united to help people. Medical volunteers are the first technology of professional volunteering, service learning," said Artyom Metelev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

"Without too much modesty, I will say that medical volunteers are one of the most important volunteer movements in the country, and its creation is a historical phenomenon, when hundreds of thousands of people united for a common goal. Today we are already at the 8th forum of medical volunteers, this number means infinity. And I wish that the work of the movement will never stop. Medicine has advanced far, but there is something that cannot be replaced - it is love. The values of medical volunteers that never change are unconditional love for people and acceptance of them as they are, readiness to help in any situation. These qualities inspire trust not only among the general public, but also among the entire professional community," said Pavel Savchuk.

"Today's event is not only an opportunity to meet like-minded people, but also a celebration of kindness, mercy and caring. Every medical volunteer is a truly caring person. I express my gratitude to all the guests and wish you productive work. Together we will move towards the development of medical volunteerism, providing each other with all-round support," Chairman of the All-Russian Public Movement "Medical Volunteers" Anastasia Zatsepurina addressed the forum participants.

The All-Russian Medical Volunteers Forum is held in Moscow for the eighth time. The slogan of this year's event: "Medical volunteers: yesterday, today, tomorrow" emphasizes the importance of the history of the medical volunteers’ movement in Russia, its relevance and perspective.

The Forum will traditionally become a communication space for volunteers to exchange experience, knowledge and ideas between medical volunteers, representatives of authorities, medical organizations and public organizations from different regions of the country.

The Forum was attended by 300 people: regional coordinators, coordinators of local branches and areas of activity of the Volunteer Medical Organization, as well as more than 60 responsible employees of public authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation in the field of health protection and educational institutions of higher education, subordinate to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

Photo: Maxim Blinov/Fotohost-RIA News agency

Within the framework of the forum, platforms aimed at building and improving personal skills of a volunteer, as well as at forming patriotic self-awareness and developing a conscious approach to professional duty were organized for volunteers. The program of the forum is divided into four blocks, where participants will discuss important issues of volunteerism development in the field of healthcare in Russia.

This is the fourth time the forum of medical volunteers will host the Rosmolodezh.Grants competition. As part of the grant competition, participants will be able to receive up to 1 million rubles to support socially significant projects. Volunteers present initiatives aimed at the development of medical volunteerism in the regions to the expert commission. Rosmolodezh.Grants are not just financial aid, but a real social elevator for young people. Each grantee is a project manager and someone who strives to fulfill their dreams and make the world a better place. 

Organizers and partners: All-Russian Public Movement "Medical Volunteers", Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), Federal State Budgetary Institution "Russian Center for Civic and Patriotic Education of Children and Youth", Federal Center for Support of Volunteerism and Mentoring in Healthcare, FSBI "NMRC Therapy and Preventive Medicine" of the Ministry of Health of Russia.

Medical volunteers have demonstrated an impressive contribution to the preservation and development of traditions of complicity, mercy and mutual assistance in society. Through their work they prove that helping people is first of all a vocation and a high mission for medical professionals. Traditions of care and mutual aid, which is an integral part of Russian culture, help the country to overcome any challenges and threats.

Medical volunteers work all over the country, providing citizens with medical assistance. Medical volunteers were among the first to work in the "red zones" during the pandemic, and with the start of the special operation they proved themselves in new regions and combat zones. Medical volunteers were actively involved in rescuing victims of the tragedy at Crocus City Hall. Volunteers provided simple, but so indispensable assistance to doctors and nurses: they gave bandages and gloves, instructed donors and monitored order at all stages of blood centers.

The President welcomes the active participation of young professionals in socially important initiatives and supports projects in this area. With the support of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 85 regional and more than 300 local branches have been opened in Russia, as well as two headquarters in the LPR and DPR, uniting more than 118,000 people in one team. Every year about 4 million Russians receive help and support from medical volunteers. The medical volunteers' movement includes 89 regional branches and more than 160 thousand volunteers across the country.