Belarusian Woman's Video Spurs Action on Medical Records Access

Access to Medical Records in Belarus: A Growing Concern In Belarus, obtaining comprehensive medical records is proving to be a significant challenge for patients and their families. A recent video by a Belarusian woman, Лена Платонова (@lena_platonovaf), highlights this issue and offers a practical solution. The video, uploaded on May 31st, 2025, has garnered significant attention, accumulating over 5,000 views in less than 24 hours. Платонова's video details her own struggle to obtain complete medical records for a family member. She explains that hospital discharge summaries often contain only limited information, leaving patients and their families in the dark about the details of their treatment. "The problem many face is the lack of necessary documents," Платонова explains in the video. "Those very documents that could help you clarify things and get to the bottom of things." To address this issue, she provides a sample request letter, which she encourages viewers to use when requesting their own medical records. This letter is based on Article 41 of the Republic of Belarus's Law on Healthcare, which grants patients the right to access their medical information. The letter includes a comprehensive list of documents to request, ensuring patients receive a complete picture of their medical history. Платонова's initiative is a testament to the growing need for transparency and patient empowerment in Belarus's healthcare system. Her video serves as a valuable resource, empowering citizens to advocate for their right to access their medical information.