OREANDA-NEWS Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on increasing monthly social benefits for doctors working in rural areas, regional centers and small towns from March 1, according to the Cabinet's website.

According to the document, the amount that doctors and mid-level medical staff from settlements with a population of no more than 50 thousand people will receive has been increased to 50 and 30 thousand rubles, respectively. In cities where 50 to 100 thousand people live, the amount of the special payment will be 29 thousand rubles for doctors and 13 thousand rubles for employees of the average medical staff.

According to Mishustin, the decision will affect more than 200 thousand medical workers of hospitals and polyclinics, who will be able to receive increased social benefits in April.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a corresponding proposal, calling for "paying special attention to the support of doctors in the most popular areas, as well as employees of district and district hospitals." He also said that from April 1, the regions should increase the salary part of the salaries of medical workers to 50 percent, while maintaining additional payments. The Cabinet of Ministers noted that the necessary changes have been made to the program of state guarantees of free medical care and approved by a signed resolution.