Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Last year, I issued a number of instructions on overhauling the blood supply service. What is the situation like today?

Valentin Uiba: Mr Prime Minister, I would like to tell you that this was a timely programme, and that we have accomplished a lot in the past 18 months. In 2008, there were 10 donors per 1,000 people, while optimal national-security standards envisage 25 donors per 1,000.
In the past 18 months, we have completely re-equipped the agencies of the blood supply service in some constituent entities, have reinstated public donorship and have created a joint information service at agencies of the blood supply service. Consequently, the number of donors has increased to 40 per 1,000 of the population in some regions. For instance, there are over 30 donors per 1,000 of the population in Krasnodar and Voronezh. This validates the programme's strategy. This four-year programme must be implemented, no matter what.

We have made considerable headway in terms of the main parameters. This year, the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development is to commission the first plasma-processing plant in Kirov. The enterprise will produce blood preparations, including Factor Eight, or anti-hemophilic globulin (trade name Hemofil), whose absence is associated with hemophilia A and which is used to normalise blood coagulation. The blood supply service is ready to meet the plant's plasma demand. This is a kind of a double effect.

Vladimir Putin: Good. What are your short-term plans?

Valentin Uiba: We have to equip 28 constituent entities in 2009. This is a formidable and difficult task. All blood supply agencies must also be re-equipped in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards because we do not specify any lower standards. Another 26 constituent entities will be equipped next year.

Vladimir Putin: What is the amount of federal funding in 2009?

Valentin Uiba: 4.2 billion roubles were allocated in 2009. Federal funding will hit an all-time high of 4.5 billion roubles next year when 28 constituent entities will be equipped. Another 4.2 billion roubles will be allocated for the programme's final phase in 2011 when 14 constituent entities and six federal blood supply stations will be re-equipped.