OREANDA-NEWS. August 22, 2011. At the meeting, Vladimir Putin and Ivan Dedov discussed the work of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, its partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Development, and its participation in modernisation programme of the health care system.

Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr. Dedov, how many members are there in the academy today?

Ivan Dedov: If we sign the government decree, there will be 250 full members and 270 corresponding members.

Vladimir Putin: Is there such a need for this?

Ivan Dedov: Yes, it's already more than five years since there has been an election. Thank you for your willingness to compromise. The Academy is developing very dynamically. Federal and local programmes are currently under discussion because in one year, in 2013, funding will become available through targeted federal programmes and grants. This is why we are now looking into the future.

Vladimir Putin: How many institutions are currently part of the academy?

Ivan Dedov: Fifty two higher education institutions are currently members of the Academy. Moscow, St Petersburg, the Northwestern branch and the Siberian branch are all part of the Academy. Thanks to unprecedented replenishment at the Academy, we have a good number of vacancies. This is not simply replenishment, but closer to what we described at the government meeting as rejuvenation: 30% of candidates that will be elected for corresponding membership will be under 50 years old, and 30% of academicians will be under 65.  

We plan to hold the next session in December, with the research part of it dedicated to diabetes. Today, diabetes is a challenge that faces global society. We held a healthcare conference here in Moscow. Non-infectious diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are our current priority.

Vladimir Putin: I see. Mr. Dedov, what other areas do you consider to be of the highest priority? As I understand, the selection of experts will also be conducted based on these priority areas?

Ivan Dedov: It will certainly be thorough. Here at the academy we have what we call experimental and basic research institutions: clinical treatment facilities, preventive care facilities, a cardiovascular pathology unit, metabolic dysfunctions (diabetes, etc.), endocrinopathy, oncology, and the most fundamental physiology (such as genomic and post-genomic technologies).

Today we are undoubtedly more diverse geographically, representing not only Moscow and St Petersburg. We have another meeting planned in order to examine our pool of candidates. We have not held elections for five years or more, and this pool has filled up. Of course, everyone understands the need to find talented people, and we currently have some intelligent 32-35 year-old guys. We recommend them.

Vladimir Putin: How is your work organised, along with your cooperation with the Ministry of Health?

Ivan Dedov: We have a productive, creative business relationship with the Ministry of Health. The issues that the academy faces are under discussion. I do not recall any cases in which we have had a misunderstanding. Our colleagues serve on boards and participate in all the projects that the academy is currently involved in.

Vladimir Putin: Did you participate in the preparation of the healthcare system modernisation programme?

Ivan Dedov: Of course. In the academic community, only 28% of all academicians work in institutions associated with the Academy of Medical Sciences. The majority work in organisations connected to the Ministry of Health and at higher education institutions. We have taken part in these programmes before, and we know this for a fact.

At the recent meeting we agreed to combine our efforts, regardless of affiliation, and we intend to do this even more in the future. We are currently considering the development of medical science alongside the development of the healthcare system. We have a strong foundation there as well as here. Experimental and basic research remain somewhat on the sidelines… We will probably think about completing the innovative circle, from idea to concept and then on to the experimental phase at a clinic. The final stage will be production.

It has become fashionable to use the term “platform.” This is a good, multilayered, mixed system that will include fundamental, let’s say experimental, as well as clinical structures.

When examining modernisation programmes (meanwhile, a lot of funding has gone to the regions), we involved ourselves and developed a clear understanding of how we need to proceed, especially since we are responsible not only for specialised medicine, but for high-tech medicine as well.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.