Speaking at the forum’s opening, the First Lady noted, in particular, that Russia supported the Muskoka Initiative, which was announced in the G8 declaration adopted at the summit in Canada in June 2010. Russia’s financial contribution to the implementation of the Muskoka Initiative will amount to $75 million over five years. These funds will be used to organise conferences and workshops, and to purchase medicines and medical equipment.
As Svetlana Medvedev emphasised, the complex of measures implemented in Russia in support of motherhood and childhood have led to a 30% decline in infant mortality in the past five years. In 2010, 61 Russian regions recorded a fall in infant mortality, with 12 regions showing infant mortality rates similar to European countries.
Russian specialists are ready to share their extensive experience with healthcare professionals from the CIS, Africa and Asia, the First Lady said. For these purposes, the Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Perinatology will open a training centre whose teaching and technological potential meets the highest international standards. Special equipment will make it possible to introduce distance training programmes involving Russian and foreign experts. In the future, it is planned to provide training and retraining courses at the centre for doctors and medical staff employed at regional Mother and Child Health Centres.
Svetlana Medvedeva also noted the spread of AIDS among children and mothers. The First Lady stressed that the provision of medical care for HIV-infected pregnant women and children, as well as their social and psychological support, are among the top priorities of the Russian healthcare system.