Komsomolskaya Pravda: "The prime minister scolds governors"
Yesterday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin summoned the governors of the Perm Territory and the Kurgan and Saratov regions because new perinatal centres failed to open on schedule.
"The demographic problem is most pressing in our country. Our future prospects depend on how we address this problem," the prime minister said before recalling earlier achievements.
"We have done a lot, and there have been good results. The birth rate has gone up and the infant mortality rate is decreasing."
One of the main objectives is the construction of high-tech perinatal centres in Russia – two federal and 22 regional. In 2009-2010, 19 billion roubles were allocated from the federal budget for this construction, and 24 billion roubles from regional funds. Today, 19 such centres are operational. The Perm Territory and the Kurgan and Saratov regions are lagging behind.
"Some 13,000 babies die annually before they are 12 months old, and about 40% of them die within the first week of their life. These perinatal centres are being built to resolve this problem." Putin added that after these centres opened, the infant mortality rate decreased by 12% in the Kirov Region, and by 33% in the Ryazan Region.
"Is this clear to you?" the prime minister glared at Healthcare and Social Development Minister Tatyana Golikova and the silent governors.
"Our goal here is not to listen to my emotional tirade or to look for someone to blame. We are here today to try and understand what prevents us from finishing this work. We are not here to argue, but rather to ensure the implementation of the task."
After that, the journalists were asked to leave and the prime minister could have a detailed and, presumably, tough conversation with the governors.
Yelena Chinkova
