The Ministry of Health is the highest administrative level, headed by a minister appointed by
Parliament. It continues to be the central policy formulating body for the Russian Federation
and retains nominal rights to oversee the work and decisions devolved to the regions. However,
the level of power enjoyed by the oblasts has grown substantially, particularly in budget setting
and the Ministry no longer expects to command compliance to all central directives. Medical
and nursing education continue to be within its scope, as is disaster and relief management and
epidemiological monitoring at a national level is once more within its remit. Its official
responsibilities, carried out together with the San-Epid network of health centers include:
• state policy in health care;
• federal health programmes, including initiatives on diabetes, tuberculosis, health promotion,
health education, disease prevention and forensic medicine;
• management of Federal medical establishments;
• quality assurance;
• professional undergraduate and postgraduate training in medicine and nursing;
• major capital investments in the health care system (buildings and equipment);
• epidemiological and environmental health monitoring and health statistics ;
• developing methodologies for health planning, workforce planning and policy
• the control of drugs and food additives;
• disaster relief.