Kalmykia’s Public Healthcare after the Return of 1957

Abstract

Introduction. This article examines the health care sector in Kalmykia after the return of the Kalmyk people from the places of deportation in 1957. The chronological framework covers several periods: the state of health care in the abolished Kalmyk ASSR after the illegal deportation of the Kalmyks; the first years since the restoration of the Kalmyk Autonomous Region in 1957 and the return of the rehabilitated people. The article aims to study the state of health care in Kalmykia after the deportation of the Kalmyk people and after their return in 1957. The article also examines the state of the health sector in the region in the post-deportation period, including staffing and material problems, and the state and development of the sector upon the return of the Kalmyks. Materials and methods. The problem-chronological principle became the basis of this article. In accordance with it, the transformations in the sector under study were examined during the historical periods in question. A quantitative (statistical) method was also used, which made it possible to trace the dynamics of changes in the health care network and personnel. The sources were archival documents of the State Archives of the Russian Federation and the National Archives of the Republic of Kalmykia. Results. The article shows the state and changes in the health care sector of Kalmykia in the time periods under study. The regional health care institutions managed to organize their work in a difficult historical period, after the people’s return from exile. Conclusions. Despite heavy losses and difficulties, health workers in the Republic managed to resume their work, begin the restoration of medical institutions, the health care system after the deportation. Thanks to the dedication of medical workers, the republic’s health care system was restored after its complete destruction.