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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends,
I would like to congratulate you on the opening of the First National Congress of Russian Doctors and wish you success in your work.
This forum is being held for the first time in our recent history. Its membership is unique. Today, gathered in this hall are doctors from all Russian regions, members of trade unions and public organisations, researchers, university professors and healthcare managers, that is people who share a noble cause: to take care of people’s health. I think the revival of national doctors’ forums is an important step in the consolidation of the professional community.
Accessible quality healthcare is our key national priority. Let me stress that as we carry forward our public policy and implement concrete steps in this field, we intend to rely on the public opinion and the position of the professional medical community.
To achieve a result together, we need an ongoing dialogue and effective feedback mechanisms. And that is why it is important that your agenda contains the most essential, the most urgent issues, such as building the system of state guarantees of medical assistance, modern approaches to healthcare management, personnel training and strengthening the foundations of medical and professional ethics, raising the social prestige of the medical profession and promoting a healthy lifestyle – in other words, topics that extend far beyond strictly professional discussions and affect the lives of the entire nation. Therefore, your forum, without exaggeration, has national importance and has attracted great attention.
I am confident that the forum members will hold detailed discussions and all their constructive ideas and suggestions will be in demand in practice and in the implementation of our state policy.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all of you for your work, your service to the nation and dedication to your professional duty. I wish you fruitful work and all the best.
Thank you.