Rostov residents are facing significant challenges as they struggle to obtain medical certificates necessary for renewing their driver's licenses, leading to public outcry and frustration. According to reports from donnews.ru, since January 1, 2025, private medical centers have been unable to provide full medical examinations required for the process. A psychiatrist’s evaluation is now mandated at the patient's place of residence, creating additional hurdles in what many are calling a bureaucratic nightmare.
Previously, medical centers could efficiently verify patients' mental health status through requests to the Rostov Region Psychiatric Hospital. This streamlined the issuance of medical certificates needed to renew driving licenses. Unfortunately, as of January 1, the hospital was expected to transfer its database of mentally unhealthy patients to the Unified State Information System for Healthcare (EGISZ). Since this transfer has not taken place, medical centers can no longer access the necessary information, as reported by donnews.ru.
The blockade of the old database has left many drivers without the certifications they need. Instead of the prior relatively swift process, individuals must now go through the often lengthy and complicated process of obtaining documentation from psychiatric institutions located at their residential addresses. This necessitates obtaining certificates proving they are not registered as mentally ill, which many have described as burdensome.
This procedural change was highlighted by one frustrated resident, who reached out to donnews.ru after calling several medical centers. He learned firsthand about the new requirements: “I was told I’d have to see a psychiatrist at my place of residence and get separate documentation, which was never necessary before.”
Reflecting on the situation, sources from medical centers have articulated their issues clearly: “We used to be able to make requests to the Rostov Region Psychiatric Hospital almost instantly, allowing us to quickly process necessary medical certificates for drivers. Now, it feels like we’re back at square one.” This sentiment resonates with many experts and the public, as the delays appear poised to extend for at least another month, potentially longer.
The transfer to EGISZ was meant to modernize the system, but instead, it has led to unwanted consequences. Sources reported, “They need to manually enter the data from paper logs, which is extremely time-consuming.” This change is not only logistically challenging but also alarming to those who rely on certificates to drive legally.
On March 10, 2025, the Rostov Region Psychiatric Hospital’s website acknowledged the issues with the database, stating it was non-functional; this statement was, curiously, removed shortly after publication. Attempts to reach Sergey Vygonsky, the chief physician, for comments on the situation were met with silence, as he deferred, asserting responsibility rested with the Medical Information and Analytical Center (MIAC) to handle the database's digitization.
Unfortunately, contacting MIAC's leadership has proven to be equally difficult. Journalists seeking comments from the director Vitaly Barkov were repeatedly told he was unavailable and eventually met with communication blackouts, adding to the frustration surrounding this situation.
The impact of these changes has already shown consequences beyond individual distress—Rospotrebnadzor, the federal agency overseeing consumer protection, reportedly received 11,880 complaints last year concerning violations of consumer rights, which is 10.7% more than the previous year. The frustrations surrounding the mental health documentation process appear to be just one piece of a larger puzzle involving consumer rights and bureaucratic efficiency.
One community member expressed dismay at the situation, saying, “This is total chaos—people are angry, and rightly so. It should not take this much effort to renew something as fundamental as a driver’s license.”
Despite the acknowledgment of the bureaucratic hang-up, it remains unclear when or how the backlog will be addressed effectively. Residents are encouraged to be patient as authorities promise to resolve these issues, but with every passing day, the public's frustration mounts.
Overall, the current situation poses significant challenges for both drivers and medical facilities alike. Those who need to renew their licenses face increasing obstacles, demonstrating the fragility of systems reliant on connectivity and modern infrastructure. With no clear timeline for resolution, it will likely take sustained advocacy from the community and substantial administrative efforts to rectify the situation.
This disarray raises pressing questions about how government agencies manage transitions to new systems and technologies, particularly when vulnerable populations are at risk of being adversely affected. From the cries of angry citizens to the challenges faced by healthcare providers, it paints a picture of urgent need for effective governance and responsiveness.
