Mr Putin examined the construction site of the Federal Centre of High Medical Technology, Traumatology, Orthopedics, and Endoprosthetics in Barnaul. This centre will be included in the medical complex of the Altai Territory. The complex will provide medical services at the district polyclinics as well as the centre of high-technology medical care. Six more centres will be built in Russia as part of the National Health Project.

When visiting the construction site, Mr Ptuin said that these centres would help create a better culture of service.

During a visit to the Altai Territory Clinical Hospital, the Prime Minster said, "Awhile ago we asked if there was need for such high-technology centres in the regions. Some of your Moscow colleagues argued that Moscow and St Petersburg would be enough. But now I see how these centres operate and what specialists work here, and I understand that we made the right decision."

At the hospital, Mr Putin was shown the new computer guided tomograph and angiograph machines which the hospital received at the end of 2008.

Mr Putin asked about staff salaries. He was told that the average salary is about 12,000 roubles, but at the institution providing high-technology medical services, the salary is two to three times higher.

The Prime Minister congratulated the hospital staff on Doctor's Day, which is celebrated this Sunday, and assured them that "despite all the difficulties, the Government will do its best to maintain salaries and even increase them."