MINSK, 31 December (BelTA) – On New Year's eve Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the National Research Center Mother and Child, BelTA has learned.
Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich and Director of the center Sergei Vasilyev told the president about the delivery of perinatal services in Belarus.
The president deems it necessary to continue working on assisted reproductive technologies in the country. He gave an instruction to create an IVF database. “We have recently discussed this problem. They say that the system is incomplete, that we don't have a database, that these things are underdeveloped in our country. Let us focus on this,” he said.
The president was told about a unique fetal surgery that was successfully performed at the center. “Two weeks have already passed, and we keep nursing the baby,” said Sergei Vasilyev.
Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the treatment unit, including the department where extremely low birth weight infants are nursed; some of the babies have the birthweight under 500g. “Everyone, put on your masks! And give me a mask. Babies are here!” the president said at the entrance to the department.
The president had a cordial conversation with the medical staff and the mothers of the babies. Some of the babies were already strong enough to be taken into arms. The head of state eagerly agreed to be photographed with the newborns and their mothers. This will be a memorable photo for little Yaroslav and Mark who comfortably seated in the arms of Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Naturally, before the New Year, the president brought gifts for mothers and their babies, and doctors who nurse babies every day. Grapes, nuts and other fruits had been gifted to the Belarusian head of state by his counterparts from the CIS southern countries. Aleksandr Lukashenko recently returned from St. Petersburg where he attended the CIS informal summit and generously shared the treats with the patients and doctors. "I have not grown these crops. I have recently been to St. Petersburg. We have good friends. We are on good terms with the presidents of the CIS member states," the Belarusian leader said.
But the main gift from Aleksandr Lukashenko for the center was a new ultrasound diagnostic device.
It is worth noting that on the eve of the New Year, the president has a traditional work schedule. Aleksandr Lukashenko had an ice hockey practice with his team in the morning. "I wished the team a Happy New Year. We had an intense workout," he said. This is also a tradition.
At the end of his visit to the center, the president thanked the doctors and asked them not to let their guard yet. "Our 'fight' is not over. Next year we will have to save people too," he said.
"Today I am yet to wish the nation a Happy New Year and sign the decree to declare next year the Year of Historical Memory. The year is eventful, but not worse than the previous one," Aleksandr Lukashenko summed up.
