ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION VLADIMIR PUTIN

Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Belov, could you tell me how people have been treated, how the medical services' work is being organised in Vladikavkaz, how many people have been transferred to Moscow and how is it going here?

Vladimir Belov: Mr Putin, a total of 158 people have asked for assistance. Sadly, four children were injured, and one died. At 10 p.m. yesterday 11 people were flown to Moscow and 105 people have been admitted to local hospitals. All our response measures, in Moscow and in Vladikavkaz, are well organised. After the Beslan school tragedy, a wonderful multi-disciplinary centre was built there. It is fully involved in these efforts. Eight wounded people are currently being treated there. As of this morning the centre's head and the republic's minister of healthcare have been paying visits to every single clinic that is involved in treating the victims, ahead of moving another 15 people to that centre.

Vladimir Putin: In Beslan?

Vladimir Belov: Yes, in Beslan.

Vladimir Putin: Are there people from the ministry there?

Vladimir Belov: Yes. Today we are also sending eight specialist doctors there. We have considered what specialists are needed. These are surgeons and neurosurgeons. They will head there today.

Vladimir Putin: Do you have a video-linkup with them?

Vladimir Belov: Unfortunately, not yet, but the specialists and the doctors are heading there today and then, once there, they will establish video communications.

Vladimir Putin: Please, do that as quickly as possible.

Vladimir Belov: Communication lines will be established with the republic's hospital and the Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery...

Vladimir Putin: To ensure that colleagues have all the assistance they need, when they need it.

Vladimir Belov: Yes, that is what we are doing.

Vladimir Putin: Some medicines and equipment...

Vladimir Belov: No, Mr Putin, they don't need anything like that. Today I got hold of the ministry of healthcare for the republic and spoke to the minister personally. They don't need any medical preparations or blood. We agreed that, should the need arise, we would send them everything they need right away.

Vladimir Putin: Where are the victims being treated here in Moscow? Which hospitals are they in?

Vladimir Belov: Three people are in the Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery, and two are in the Priorov Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics. There are two people in our medical rehabilitation centre and another two are in hospital number 83 FMBA (Clinical Hospital under the Federal Medical Biological Agency). One person is in the Sklifosofsky Institute (Moscow Sklifosovsky City Emergency Care Research Institute). In total there are 11 people. So, let's hope everything is under control, although other people may come forward and ask for help.

Vladimir Putin: Three people were listed as missing following the blast. Is that correct?

Vladimir Belov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Are you in touch with all the medical institutions?

Vladimir Belov: Absolutely. I am in direct contact with them.

Vladimir Putin: Are the victims' relatives here?

Vladimir Belov: I am not in a position to answer that right now, but we will contact everyone and help the relatives get here.

Vladimir Putin: Please, check whether any relatives have arrived. They'll need accommodation and other assistance.

Vladimir Belov: Okay.