Vladimir Putin's opening remarks:
Good afternoon,
Today, as you know, is a sad day for us - a day of mourning. A great tragedy occurred in Perm overnight, claiming more than 100 lives. The total number of victims adds up to 233 people.
Every necessary measure is being taken to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy. The Emergencies Ministry is conducting additional inspections on concert halls, clubs and other similar facilities of mass recreation. This work has started.
But the main thing now is to save those who have suffered burns and injuries. Many are in serious condition. I would like to thank the medics, rescue workers and pilots who worked in the first hours of the tragedy. All in all, 500 medical specialists and 100 ambulance teams were involved.
Many of the victims have been taken to clinics in Moscow, St Petersburg and Chelyabinsk. As of the evening of December 6, Moscow had 65 of them, St Petersburg, 28 and Chelyabinsk, seven. As many as 21 remain in Perm. Twelve evacuation flights have been made. As I mentioned, leading specialists have joined in the effort.
The victims are in for a long treatment. They will require special medicine, equipment, dietetic meals, and care. The life saving medicines and treatments are available. If necessary, the Health Ministry is in a position to purchase anything that's needed, no matter what the cost. This is an occasion when no one will think of money, of course.
I would also like to urge the manufacturers of the pharmaceuticals required in this case - to please respond to medical requests quickly and promptly.
In addition, I would like to address regional heads: the Moscow Mayor and the governors of St Petersburg and the Chelyabinsk Region. Relatives of the victims have arrived in these cities from Perm. They want to be near their families. Please give these people any necessary help.
Now let us discuss the progress of the medical treatment and if additional support is needed; what we together need to do to save people and render them any required assistance.
You have the floor, Ms Golikova.
Tatyana Golikova: Mr Putin, colleagues. I will not reiterate what has been said. I will simply tell you that by order of the Emergencies Ministry we formed rapid response teams as soon as we learned about the accident in the Perm Region. And, on the medical side, I would like to say that one team included nine specialists from the All-Russian Disaster Medicine Service of the Health Ministry. The Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery and the Sklifosovsky Emergency Hospital each contributed two specialists to it. In addition, twenty-seven specialists from the Federal Medical-Biological Agency were sent there. And experts from the federal state institution Russian Centre of Forensic Medical Expertise are also working on the investigation.
Given developing situation in the Perm area, as soon as we arrived we started examining the victims. Shortly after we arrived, we were joined by doctors from Chelyabinsk. The Chelyabinsk burns centre sent thirteen experts who have been working in Perm for practically two days.
After all the victims had been examined by specialists we began evacuations, using the planes you mentioned. The evacuation took almost twenty-four hours. The Emergency Ministry air crews worked round the clock, as did the doctors.
The first flights were to Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Moscow, the Vishnevsky Surgery Institute, the Sklifosovsky Institute of Emergency Medicine, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency, the Burnazyan Centre and the City Clinical Hospital were all involved. When it became clear that this was not enough, we turned to the Defence Ministry's Burdenko Hospital. It admitted four people in a serious condition last night.
We used two institutions in St Petersburg, both under the Defence Ministry: the Kirov Military Medical Academy and the Dzhanelidze Emergency Medical Care Institute. We are in regular contact with all our colleagues in St. Petersburg and Chelyabinsk.
All the one hundred victims who are currently at the clinics in Moscow, St. Petersbsurg and Chelyabinsk (there are seven victims at the burns centre in Chelyabinsk) are, unfortunately, in either a very severe or a severe condition. Out of one hundred, sixty-eight are on ventilators. Unfortunately, their condition may worsen. I would like to stress that the doctors are doing all they can to save these people's lives.
I should get an update from them today about what they are doing and what else needs to be done to help achieve a favourable outcome.
I would like to stress that the Ministry, with your support, will do everything possible to provide proper medical assistance. The extent and types of injuries require costly treatment, but at present the medical institutions have all the necessary drugs and artificial lung ventilation machines. We have enough blood substitutes, blood plasma in Moscow and in the neighbouring regions. We will share our resources with the federal and regional institutions involved.
Because their condition is serious, these patients are going to spend not two or three weeks, but a much longer time in the medical institutions. Proper medical care and medicines will be required throughout this long period.
My colleagues and I will make a check-list of all our drugs, artificial ventilation machines and plasma requirements. We are planning at least three months ahead.
The holiday season is approaching and we have to ensure we have everything necessary, and we must also keep in mind that our regular patients should not suffer because we might be short of drugs.
We are procuring all these medical supplies. We will take additional measures in the coming days. If necessary we will submit a draft Government executive order for you to make the final decision. That is all I have to say at this point. As for the particular institutions involved, my colleagues can fill you in.
Vladimir Putin: Good. We have Perm, the Perm Territory Hospital on the line. What is the situation down there?
Valery Blinov: Good afternoon, I am Valery Blinov, the hospital's Chief Doctor. We have four patients, of which two are in intensive care in a severe condition; both are on ventilators. The other two patients are in a satisfactory condition and have minor injuries. We have enough supplies and no problems with treatment. That's basically it.
Vladimir Putin: Do you know what the situation is like in the other clinics?
Oleg Chirkunov, Governor of the Perm Territory: I can report back on all the other clinics.
Vladimir Putin: Yes, please, I am listening to you.
Oleg Chirkunov: At the moment we have twenty patients in seven clinics. The discrepancy between my figures and those announced at 11:10 is due to the fact that another patient, a woman who was in a very severe condition, died just a few minutes ago.
Out of the twenty patients six are in a very severe condition, seven in a severe condition, one in moderately grave condition and six are in a satisfactory condition.
Vladimir Putin: Do you have any additional requests or advice to the Healthcare Ministry?
Oleg Chirkunov: In my opinion, Mr. Putin, the Emergencies Ministry and the Healthcare Ministry have done all they could. A hundred people have been evacuated, and we can only imagine what the situation would have been if that had not happened.
My request would be the same as you have already mentioned: to pay attention to the relatives in other cities. We are paying compensation to the families and if necessary we will pay more. I think the Federal Centre has done all it could for the moment.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. We will talk more later. Vladimir Fyodorov, of the Vishnevsky Institute, please go ahead.
Vladimir Fyodorov: We have nine victims at our Institute. They are all in severe or very severe condition. Six are on ventilators. So far, we have everything we need. On the day it happened, we did not need to call our staff in, they reported to work themselves and have been attending to the patients for two days now. Of course we hope that when our own reserves have been exhausted we will get some help from the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development, indeed we are currently preparing a request for help.
Injuries of this kind are not new to us, we have seen worse. But we are better equipped now than in similar situations several years ago. So, we hope to see the patients make good recoveries.
Vladimir Putin: Konstantin Kotenko (Director General of the Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Centre under the Federal Medical Biological Agency), please go ahead.
Konstantin Kotenko: Mr. Putin, the Burnazyan Centre has admitted nine patients in a severe and very severe condition. Seven were admitted around 11 p.m. on the 5th. Two patients were admitted at 2:40 a.m. on the 6th.
The gravity of the patients' condition is mainly due to the large burn area, up to 50% of the body, burns affecting their upper respiratory organs and post burn shock. Seven patients are on artificial ventilation. They are being treated in the intensive care units. They are looked after round the clock, we have sufficient resources.
But we have taken the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development up on their offer and this morning sent an application to the Medical Assistance Organization Department for additional medical supplies. That is all I have to add at this point.
Vladimir Putin: You just returned today, am I right?
Konstantin Kotenko: Yes, at three o'clock today we took a patient, Yelena Shiryaeva, to the Vishnevsky Institute. She is in an extremely severe condition, with up to 50% burns and pneumothorax. Her condition is very serious, but we managed to deliver her to hospital.
Vladimir Putin: How many days were you there?
Konstantin Kotenko: From the very beginning.
Vladimir Putin: Did you visit the local clinics?
Konstantin Kotenko: Yes, we visited all the medical centres and hospitals in Perm. We worked as a team.
Vladimir Putin: What is your impression?
Konstantin Kotenko: The doctors have done all they could. Because I have worked in this area before I can compare the state of these clinics then and now. The equipment has improved a great deal. But I have to tell you that the number of patients with burns is critical for any city or region. So if the decision had not been taken to evacuate the patients, the region would not have coped.
Vladimir Putin: OK, thank you. Mr.Khubutiya, please.
Anzor Khubutiya, Director, Sklifosovsky Research Institute: We have the largest number of patients. We have thirty-one patients, sixteen of whom are on ventilators. Eight patients are in a critical condition. The age range is between twenty-one and fourty-four.
As for the nature of their injuries, they are serious injuries to their respiratory organs, practically all have 100% burns to their eyes, and burns covering large areas of their bodies. We have a young woman with 95% burns. It is hard to assess the condition and the chances of the burns patients at this moment because they are susceptible to infections. Because of the extent of their burns the skin barrier practically does not exist.
At present we have everything we need. On Saturday night we received additional equipment and medical supplies. So, our Institute has no problems with equipment or supplies.
Vladimir Putin: OK, thank you. Sergei Bagnenko, St. Petersburg.
Sergei Bagnenko: Yes, the Dzhanelidze Institute currently has seventeen patients, fifteen of whom are on ventilators. As with those at the Sklifosovsky and Vishnevsky hospitals, these are severe and very severe cases. We used part of the Institute's emergency resources which are intended for such a number of victims. So we have no shortage of medical supplies, nutrition, disposable equipment or bandaging. In the future we will replenish our stocks with help from the city administration, and we will send an additional request to the Ministry of Healthcare.
Vladimir Putin: All right, Valery Parfyonov, please.
Valery Parfyonov, Deputy Chief of the Kirov Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg: Good afternoon. We have admitted eleven patients, all in a very severe condition. All are on ventilators. And have respiratory organ burns. As of today, eight patients are no longer in shock, and three are in a very severe condition with 70% burns. As for equipment, everything is normal , there are no shortages. That is all I have to report.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Igor Skorik, Chelyabinsk, please.
Igor Skorik, Chief Doctor, City Hospital Number 6: Good afternoon. We have admitted seven patients to our burns centre. Five of them are very severe cases, two are in a moderately grave condition.
We have all the medical supplies and equipment we need.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. I'd like to talk to the governors. Mr Luzhkov, are you on the line? Can you hear us?
Yury Luzhkov: Yes, I am on the line, Mr Putin. We have accepted 65 people from seven flights. The last flight is due at 2 a.m. We have 32 people in very severe condition, 31 in severe condition, and two in moderately grave condition. Twenty nine people are on life support equipment. We are controlling the situation together with the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development and the Emergencies Ministry. We have no immediate requirements on medicines or anything else. Everything is under control. Everything has been organized.
We have booked rooms for 170 arriving relatives in five hotels. These hotels are located closer to the hospitals, which have accommodated the patients. Mr Putin, we are permanently monitoring the situation. We are checking on it literally every half hour and have established all of the required contacts.
The only question that we must resolve all together... We have used practically all lung ventilation machines. Meanwhile, pyrotechnic holidays, as I call them are approaching. Probably, it makes sense to quickly purchase a dozen or two of these machines, but well deal with this ourselves. From January 1 to 10, there are more patients with burn wounds.
However, we will resolve these issues together with the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development. I think we are capable of making such decisions.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Mrs Matvienko, how are things with you?
Valentina Matvienko: Mr Putin, good afternoon. I'd like to say that the Emergencies Ministry and the Healthcare Ministry have promptly organized the delivery of patients. We have sent them in ambulances right from the airport to the Dzhanelidze Emergency Medical Care Institute and the Military Medical Academy, which have created all the necessary conditions for quality medical aid.
As I've already said, all patients are in grave condition but they are receiving the necessary medical treatment. Everything is being done to save their lives. All of them are supported by artificial lung ventilation machines.
Relatives are arriving. Ten have already come here and we have provided them with free accommodation. We will continue doing this for all who will come. We are also giving the relatives psychological support. Both the Emergencies Ministry and the Healthcare Committee are working as one team. Mr Putin, we are doing all we can to save the victims.
We do not need outside help for the time being. We have a good working contact with the Healthcare Ministry. If we need something in case of an emergency... But for the time being we are okay.
Vladimir Putin: Mrs Matviyenko and Mr Luzhkov, in addition to the victims of the Perm tragedy, St. Petersburg and Moscow's hospitals are accommodating victims of the recent terrorist act on the train. I understand how difficult and tragic the situation is, but we should not forget about the train victims. Please, pay very serious attention to them.
Yury Luzhkov: Mr Putin, we have complete control over this. We have 12 patients and I receive daily reports on their condition. We are monitoring all emergencies together with the relevant ministry. We are keeping an eye on all of them.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
Valentina Matviyenko: Mr Putin, we are doing the same in St. Petersburg: 65 people are in hospital, including six in grave condition, 12 in moderately grave condition, and 47 in satisfactory condition. We are keeping an eye on them all the time. We are doing all we can to help them leave hospitals and join their families as soon as possible. We are keeping this under our control and receive reports on their condition every morning. We are aware of our responsibilities.
Vladimir Putin: Good, thank you. Mr Sumin from Chelyabinsk, please go ahead.
Pyotr Sumin, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region: Good afternoon, Mr Putin. On instructions from the Ministry of Healthcare we sent a team of doctors with the required equipment to Perm. They worked their shifts there and came back yesterday in the evening.
Our hospital's chief doctor reported to you that we have accepted seven people. We have everything for their treatment. So, we don't need any help in this regard.
We have booked hotels by the hospital for the arriving relatives and will make their accommodation free. They are starting to arrive. We will give them psychological and other assistance. We don't have any problems in organizing this.
Vladimir Putin: Well done, Mr Sumin. Thank you for this. I'd like to draw your attention to the condition of medical institutions in Magnitogorsk. Do you remember that during the hotline there were questions about hospitals and clinics in Magnitogorsk. I'd like you to pay special attention to this and report to me as soon as possible...
Pyotr Sumin: Mr Putin...
Vladimir Putin: Thank you for this. As for the second subject, discussing it...
Pyotr Sumin: We are already taking measures, Mr Putin.
Vladimir Putin: Okay, I hope for results. You will tell me later what measures you are taking. Thank you very much.
Pyotr Sumin: I will.
Vladimir Putin: I would like to say a few words in conclusion. We have a holiday season ahead. We have already spoken about this. Naturally enough, life goes on, and we all have our own problems and concerns. This is a time of festive mood but we know full well that many of our compatriots are not gong to have it.
We have had a number of emergencies recently. The fire in Perm had the worst consequences. I know how selflessly medical personnel are working today - without sleep, rest, days off or holidays. Needless to say, it is not easy to work in this manner but people who have chosen this profession see it as a mission. I would like to emphasize that today it is this selfless service that is required from many of you. This is the first point.
Secondly, it is necessary to do everything to help people who have found themselves in this grave situation, who have suffered and are still suffering so much today. We must do everything to save as many of our people as possible.
Some of you have mentioned that a number of hospitals are running out of their reserves. I'd like to address this again now - please, send in your applications in time. Mrs Golikova, it is necessary not only top provide hospitals with all they need, but also to replenish their reserves. They should always have enough reserves. I'm asking you to do this.
I'd like to ask the regional governors once again to support the relatives of victims, first of all in the Perm Region. You must support everyone without exception - all families of the dead and injured. The same applies to relatives who have come to other regions, to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Chelyabinsk. I hope you will not display a formal approach, that you will treat them humanly, with a warm-hearted attitude. I hope you will do everything to give them the required assistance.
Thank you.