Agenda: Extending the deferral on tax and insurance premiums for coal companies, rules and criteria for compiling a list of strategically important medicines, and implementing the First Aid Development Concept.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks
Tatyana Golikova’s report on implementing the first aid development concept
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Tatyana Golikova’s report on implementing the first aid development concept
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Mikhail Mishustin: Good morning, colleagues.
Before we begin today’s briefing, I’d like to share a decision that has been made regarding the coal industry. Given the ongoing market conditions, the President has instructed us to monitor the situation in this critically important sector of the Russian economy. Its stable operation is essential for our industrial and energy enterprises.
As you will recall, at a special meeting last year, we developed a set of effective, comprehensive support measures. These included granting companies deferrals on mineral extraction tax and insurance premiums. We are now extending this arrangement until the end of April. After that, companies will be able to repay the accumulated debt in equal instalments over a seven-month period. The relevant Government resolution has been signed. This will free up working capital at otherwise viable coal companies to support their ongoing operations.
The next issue relates to providing our citizens and the healthcare system with high quality, effective, domestically produced medicines. The President has spoken about the need to increase their production in Russia, which is precisely the aim of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Strategy.
As part of implementing this strategy, the Government has approved the rules and criteria for compiling a list of strategically important medicines. This will include vital and essential drugs such as vaccines and analgesics, alongside treatments for infections, socially significant diseases, and medicines provided to priority groups of citizens.
We hope this measure will reduce our pharmaceutical industry’s dependence on imports and, more broadly, contribute to the national goals of preserving the population, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting families.
In response to the President’s instruction, the Government has also developed and approved a Concept for the Development of First Aid – the kind of assistance provided before medical professionals arrive. Everyone needs the skills to respond properly in an emergency. No one is immune to accidents, and the ability to react swiftly, deliver first aid, and take the right steps can often save a life and prevent further health complications. It is vital that people have the knowledge to act in an emergency, both to help themselves and those around them.
Considerable attention is being given to these matters. Education for citizens and training for instructors are being organised, alongside various training sessions and awareness raising events.
Under the new concept, this work will be stepped up to foster a culture of first aid and improve people’s skills and confidence in this area.
Ms Golikova, please tell us how this is intended to be implemented.
Tatyana Golikova: Mr Mishustin, colleagues.
In today’s world, injury is one of the leading medical and social challenges we face. According to the World Health Organisation, injury is the third leading cause of death globally. And this is certainly true for every country, including our own. That is why the document the Government is adopting today – which will run until 2036 – is of such crucial importance.
We understand that situations arise every day where immediate action is needed to save life and protect health. These include accidents, drownings, sudden loss of consciousness, injuries, and other emergencies. In such moments, it is vital that someone with first aid skills is on hand.
Under Russian law, only those who have completed the appropriate training and have the necessary skills and knowledge are authorised to provide first aid.
In this regard, as you mentioned, much has already been achieved in our country. Specifically, since 2024, nearly 3.2 million Russians have been trained in first aid skills, and close to 14,000 instructors and over 2,000 teachers have been trained to teach first aid skills. Working groups on first aid have been set up in 40 regions, and regional regulations have been adopted in 38. However, this work now needs to be systematised, and we need a more unified approach across the board.
The aim of the concept, therefore, is to develop first aid provision, create the conditions for training the public, and ensure those skills can be put into practice when needed.
The implementation of the concept will involve a wide range of participants – educational, public, non-profit and research organisations, business and employers’ associations, the expert community, and, of course, our active citizens. Their interaction with government bodies will be facilitated.
We also plan to strengthen collaboration between business and government, roll out awareness-raising campaigns, and develop the infrastructure of organisations that provide first aid training. We will hold themed competitions for schoolchildren and students, provide training and retraining for employees responsible for delivering first aid, and, as I have already mentioned, train the trainers.
The concept is to be implemented in three stages. We are currently drawing up a plan of action, along with monitoring and oversight mechanisms, as well as performance indicators and benchmarks.
The main outcome of the concept’s implementation will be to ensure that the public is ready to provide effective first aid in life-threatening situations. And, as you have already noted, this contributes directly to our key national target of improving life expectancy for our citizens.
Mikhail Mishustin: Thank you, Ms Golikova.
The effective implementation of this concept requires coordinated collaboration across federal and regional authorities, educational institutions, and public organisations. We request that this be ensured.
