Tula Insight

Our work this week in Tula, Russia explores the medical and mental health conditions of the hospitals and university systems. It's an over all prognosis of a country bouncing back from decades of communism. Once taboo to talk about, only now am I learning why. Under the old regime, religion was banned, psychiological health care was sorely lacking and streets were dark by 8pm. It sounded like a dreadful place. But with fortitude and strength of steel the Russians preserved and now embrace their new freedoms with nightlife, festivals, the arts and of course alternative art therapy and preventative medicines. Today, I videotaped some of the most bizarre contraptions for helping the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, scalp stay healthy. I was skeptical at first but if it's working, and they say it is, than wonderful. Russians place far more emphasis on prevention than the US. Preventing drug use, preventing unwanted pregnancies, preventing or helping the early systems of mental illness - it's a society that really takes care of its own. Again, unlike in the states, medicines, be them herbal or what we would consider prescribed can be bought over the counter. This can pose risks as well as quicker treatment but the bottom-line is it's not about making pharmaceutical or insurance companies rich. It's protecting the consumer as well as the doctor. More to come when we visit more municipal health camps tomorrow as well as dinner at another fabulous Russian restaurant.