Problems of development of healthcare in Penza region in 1939–1940

Background. The relevance of the issue under consideration is determined by the fact that currently the process of healthcare organization in the first years after the creation of Penza region has not been sufficiently considered. The purpose of the work is to considerto consider the state and problems of health care organization in the newly formed region. Materials and methods. The research is based on archival documents and materials reveal ing the state of healthcare in Penza region in 1939–1940. During the writing of the work, basic research methods were used – dialectical, the method of historicism, objectivity, and consistency, which made it possible to organize and structure the material taking into ac count military issues. To determine the degree of reliability and representativeness of the documentary material, the method of critical analysis of historical sources was used. Results. For the first time, indicators of hospital and clinic equipment, morbidity in Penza region in 1939–1940, as well as the content and practice of solving problems facing the leadership of the regional health department were introduced into scientific circulation. Conclusions. Despite objective and subjective difficulties, the health care of Penza region as a whole solved the tasks assigned to it and prepared the necessary base, which was test ed during the Great Patriotic War.