Minister of Health of the RSFSR Vladimir Vasilievich Trofimov, first Editor-in-Chief of the journal «Health Care of the Russian Federation» – outstanding personality and healthcare manager

This article is devoted to V.V. Trofimov, Minister of Health of the RSFSR, an outstanding health care manager, who tried to introduce the modern methods of self-financing, automated information systems, etc., into the management of medical science during the period 1962-1983. At the initiative of V.V. Trofimov, for the first time in the country, the Main Department of research institutes and coordination of scientific research was established, the purpose of which was to ensure a scientific breakthrough in medicine through the development and implementation of innovative methods. The experience of joint work of health authorities, medical universities, and research institutions began to accumulate. It allowed solving problems of improving the quality of medical care according to united comprehensive plans. The material and technical base for public health protection was developed. During the tenth five-year plan alone, 20 large multi-specialty hospitals were built for 600-1200 beds, 88 polyclinics for 750-1200 visits per shift, 80 maternity hospitals and departments for 8849 beds were put into operation, 24 women’s consultations for 1000 visits per shift, and 13 multi-specialty children’s hospitals. The availability of medical personnel increased from 34.8 in 1975 to 40.0 in 1980 (per 10,000 population). The reform of the financing of medical institutions included the transfer of hospitals and polyclinics to economic accounting. The reform was introduced to enhance medical workers’ financial incentives to improve medical care, as savings increased doctors’ and nurses’ salaries. In essence, it was an anti-pod to the extensive, expensive way of conducting the national economy adopted in the country. As the first Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Health Care of the Russian Federation” and he prioritized innovative research in editorial policy for many years to come.