During a working meeting with Oleg Melnichenko, held via videoconference on Monday, August 2, 2021 Vladimir Putin also drew attention to the possibility of providing federal assistance to modernise the region's water supply system.
During the online business talks, Oleg Melnichenko mentioned some information about the situation with coronavirus infection in the Penza Oblast and the readiness of the regional health system to accept the today's epidemiological challenges.
"I looked through written documents and appeals that you sent me and found out that there are mostly healthcare issues," Vladimir Putin noted.
Oleg Melnichenko explained that the spread of COVID-19 showed the need to strengthen the infectious service of the Penza Oblast.
"So we need some more ways to do it. Therefore, we ask you to support and include in the draft budget of 2022-2024 the construction of the infectious diseases department building in our hospital of specialised types of care. In our turn, given the situation with COVID, we are now additionally deploying oxygen production stations there. Thus, we are creating good conditions to treat lung infections that are now coming with complications due to COVID, so this is important for the Penza Oblast," Oleg Melnichenko stressed.
He also mentioned the problems related to cancer treatment.
"Unfortunately, we detect an average of 7 thousand oncological diseases per year, this is about 550 cases per 100 thousand of the population. This is a medical indicator," the acting head of the Penza Oblast cited statistical data.
"And COVID made this situation even worse, because people with cancer, who suffered from COVID, then got complications. Though we have an oncology centre, but there is not enough surgical capacity at the moment, and, of course, we need to build a separate surgical building," he specified.
In addition, stressing the need for a comprehensive diagnosis, Oleg Melnichenko clarified that next year the construction of a PET/CT Centre will start at the expense of the regional budget.
"Naturally, we need equipment - PET/CT devices themselves, which would allow us to make high-quality diagnostics, treat patients and avoid complications after oncological surgeries. I think this will improve the quality of treatment and, of course, improve the standard of living of our people. Therefore, we ask you to support our applications sent for inclusion in the federal budget," Oleg Melnichenko voiced a request for federal assistance. "We will build the PET/CT Centre ourselves with budget money, but we ask to help us purchase medical equipment with federal funds."
The President agreed.
"It is necessary, of course, to ensure some fundamental things, including the high quality of water for people not to get sick. I ask you to pay special attention to this. I understand that the problem is caused by the high level of depreciation of housing, communal services sector and the related networks. Add another paper on this issue to those you sent me. It is necessary to work on this infrastructure," the President said.
"In general, I believe that you have chosen the right priorities, and I am sure that you will succeed. We will help you, of course," Vladimir Putin summed up.
Photo credit to: http://kremlin.ru
