Working trip to Petrikov District, Gomel Oblast

Major working trip of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Gomel Oblast continued in Petrikov District.

The head of state recalled that Petrikov is within the area of responsibility of Belaruskali, as the Belaruskali Petrikov Mining and Processing Complex has been operating in the district for five years.

“I instructed that the new potash plant’s area of responsibility is Petrikov. This city should be no worse than Soligorsk,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

In this context, the President asked how relations are developing between local authorities and the Belaruskali management. As officials told the head of state, every year the chairman of the district executive committee and the head of Belaruskali jointly approve a program of social and economic development, which is then submitted to the regional executive committee for review.

“Do you plan activities every year?” the President asked Chairman of the Petrikov District Executive Committee Aleksandr Veremeyev.

“Yes, we determine the activities and financial support for equipment purchases [every year]. In 2025, we fully equipped the Petrikov Central District Hospital with the help of Belaruskali,” Aleksandr Veremeyev explained.

The President was also informed that several farms in the district are expected to be transferred to Belaruskali and incorporated into the Belaruskali Agro holding company. These are agricultural enterprises considered potentially problematic. In this regard, the Belarusian leader stressed the importance of patronage support. In this case, support for the district’s agricultural enterprises from Belaruskali. At the same time, personnel decisions at these enterprises must remain under the authority of local government bodies.

“Let Belaruskali invest, but technology and personnel are your responsibility. Let them propose candidates, but you must oversee this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko told the Petrikov District head. “We have a strict vertical: the President, then regional executive committee chairs, then district executive committee chairs. You must be the one making decisions, especially personnel decisions. This is the most crucial matter [for local government bodies], and I don't need to remind you of the importance of personnel.”

The President visited the Petrikov Central District Hospital and Preschool Education Unit No. 2 of the Belaruskali Social Development and Housing and Utilities Department.

The head of state first inquired about the facility’s structure. He was informed that the hospital network includes 2 community hospitals, 22 feldsher-midwife stations (FAPs), and 7 general practitioner outpatient clinics. This prompted a discussion about how efficient and well-justified such a structure really is.

“We need to figure this out so we don’t waste extra money,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “I’m not in favor of shutting down FAPs and community hospitals. But we need to do it where it’s necessary.”

“I’m drawing my own conclusion. We need to instruct the healthcare minister to take another look at the country’s healthcare system and assess where facilities are needed and where they aren’t. We need to figure this out together. Maybe in some places we should be adding FAPs, not removing them,” the President said.

For example, in areas where the population is declining, part of community hospitals’ infrastructure could be turned into round-the-clock nursing homes for the elderly.

Speaking about FAPs, the President noted that they are vital to people, particularly in rural areas. He isn’t pushing for any one solution; instead, he stressed that decisions must be grounded in practicality and common sense.

After a brief report, the head of state toured the maternity and gynecology wing of the Petrikov Central District Hospital, where he spoke with medical staff and patients.

Constructed in 1993, the building was extensively renovated and modernized in 2021-2022. It now houses a gynecology department, obstetrician-gynecologist offices, a cardiotocography room, a day-care unit, a delivery room, and other key facilities for women.

“Excellent conditions. Nothing is too good for the women who give birth,” the head of state said commenting on the facility.

The hospital’s gynecology department has been headed by Muhammad Fadi Bahlawan for 11 years. The man has obtained Belarusian citizenship; he has a wife and three children. “Under no circumstances should we let him go back to Syria. We understand that they need help there, and we are ready to provide it. But we’re not letting you go back,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President had a cordial conversation with patients who are expecting to give birth very soon. “May I step into this sacred room? How are you feeling about giving birth?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked the women with a smile as he entered one of the wards. The women replied that they were feeling positive and were in excellent spirits.