G8 ministers recognize Russia's role in global healthcare

April 28 – The G8 ministers "have recognized Russia's leading role in solving global healthcare problems," said Russian Healthcare and Social Development Minister Mikhail Zurabov, when commenting on the ministers' meeting in Moscow. "Russia has strong healthcare traditions, which have helped ensure its leadership," he said.

"In the last month and a half we have been trying to see whether our partners have confidence in Russia's ability to lead the world in the fight against infectious diseases and other areas of healthcare," he said. "It is vital that international organizations and G8 healthcare officials perceive Russia as fit for the role."

"We had certain concerns, for example, whether the final document of the Moscow meeting, which stresses Russia's role in these processes, would be adopted today without reservations or amendments," the minister said. "It was, and this is a great success."

The minister emphasized that "the international community has greater confidence in Russia's national programs." "They wanted to see for themselves that our actions in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS and in preventing avian flu and pandemic follow the logic they understand," he said.

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