The healthcare system formation in the city of Divnogorsk in the 1960s - early 1980s: organizational and personnel support

The formation of the healthcare sector in young small towns of the Soviet Union in the second half of the 20th century is an unexplored topic in historical science. For example, the city of Divnogorsk appeared in the late 1950s as a result of the construction of the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station. Further development of such a city required the creation of a social infrastructure related primarily to the provision of qualified medical care to the population isolated from a large center. Based on this, the presented study examines the process of formation and development of the health care system of a young small town using the example of Divnogorsk in the 1960s - 1980s, including the financing and construction of medical institutions, their provision with medical personnel, including the creation and functioning of the Medical School. The paper provides reviews from ordinary citizens about the work of local doctors. According to the results obtained, the healthcare system in Divnogorsk and the workers’ settlements surrounding it during the study period was represented by a variety of medical institutions and different types of medical care. Its funding regularly increased, the number of outpatient beds and the number of medical services provided increased, unique operations were carried out and effective treatment methods were used, the city was provided with a cadre of medical workers, both lower-level and highly specialized doctors. Medical and paramedic-midwife stations were created in the villages, so in general an effective system of qualified medical care was created in the Divnogorsk agglomeration.