Russia embarks on £10bn reform of its “deplorable” health system

Russia is embarking on the biggest reform of its troubled healthcare sector—described by Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, as “deplorable”—by making radical changes to the compulsory medical insurance system that was introduced in the early 1990s.

Major changes in the way that health care is delivered across Russia are also planned, and the government has promised more money for the chronically underfunded sector in general.

Under the reforms, compulsory medical insurance contributions paid by employers on behalf of their employees will be increased from 3.1% of salary to 5.1% in the next two …