Alexander Zhukov said that the Regional Perinatal Centre in Kaliningrad is one of the clearest examples of the kind of difference that facilities like this can make. According to statistics that the deputy prime minister cited, the infant mortality rate in the region has fallen by 37% and is now on par with the level of European countries.

"It is the lowest rate in Russia," Mr Zhukov stressed. According to the deputy prime minister, 22 perinatal centres will be opened in other regions by the end of the year.

At a meeting on regional healthcare modernisation programmes, Mr Zhukov criticised those in charge of the areas in the Northwestern Federal District where there are delays in upgrading the medical infrastructure and the major renovation of healthcare facilities. In particular, the deputy prime minister pointed out that projects in the Leningrad, Murmansk and Pskov regions had not been started according to schedule. The deadlines for the supply of medical equipment had not been met in the Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad and Pskov regions, nor in the Komi Republic and the Nenets Autonomous Area. "It's clear that in some cases, these delays are due to the fact that contracts for these programmes were executed later than expected," Mr Zhukov said. "However, I would like to hear in detail about the measures being taken to get back on schedule by the end of the year."

Alexander Zhukov also said that subsidies provided to raise the standards of health care and the availability of outpatient care had not been used in most of the district's areas. "This means that the measures to increase doctors' salaries have not been implemented. I would like you to focus special attention on this matter," Mr Zhukov said.

The deputy prime minister plans to hold meetings on the modernisation of regional healthcare in each of Russia's federal districts.