Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the federally funded Cardiac Surgery Centre, which opened in Astrakhan several weeks ago.

Head doctor Dmitry Tarasov told him that the centre possessed the latest medical equipment and that its personnel had undergone training in Germany, France, Norway, and other European countries.

Mr Putin asked how many operations had been done since the opening. Dr Tarasov replied that there had been over a hundred - an average of 15 operations a day.

"How are your personnel accommodated?" Mr Putin asked.

More than 50 specialists had come from other parts of Russia to the new centre, and all received good flats, Dr Tarasov replied.

Mr Putin remarked that many had been apprehensive that doctors would not like to move to a new place, and that the centre would be understaffed as a result.

"It's easy to move when you are offered a job, a good salary, and a flat," Dr Tarasov replied.