Russian organizations dedicated to assisting individuals with mental health conditions are expressing concern regarding a proposed state initiative to establish a unified registry of patients. This new system is set to incorporate data on individuals diagnosed with psychiatric conditions who are under dispensary care. Access to this information will be granted partially not only to medical professionals but also to police officers. The Ministry of Health explains that the registry is intended to improve medical statistics and planning for healthcare services, while assuring protection of patient data.
The government approved the regulation concerning the Federal Register of Individuals with Specific Diseases in May. This register is designed to track disease prevalence nationwide and analyze the effectiveness of medical care, including data on patients with 12 types of diseases (such as oncological, pulmonary, cardiovascular) and conditions (including pregnancy). The Ministry of Health will manage the electronic register through the Unified State Information System for Healthcare, with implementation scheduled for March 1, 2026. Information from existing state and private medical organizations` databases will also be transferred to the system. For patients with psychiatric diagnoses, the register will include details about dispensary registration, hospitalizations, the presence of dangerous symptoms, and court-ordered compulsory treatment measures. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is listed as a user with «certain restrictions,» and police will have access to a portion of the personalized data.
A detailed analysis of this initiative was prepared and published by the public organization «Kontact,» which supports individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Kontact was established in 2013. The organization is an official partner of the Federal Autism Resource Center. Its staff are members of expert and public councils under relevant ministries; «Kontact» receives support from the Presidential Grants Foundation.
