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On July, 9 and 10 a delegation from Karelia participated in opening of the two new medical institutions in Sortavala region – a polyclinic (health center) in Sortavala and an outpatient clinic on the island of Valaam.

Complete overhaul of the building was launched in Sortavala three years ago. Now the new premises will hold a well-child clinic, a maternity welfare clinic, a dermatovenereological and phthisiology consulting rooms. Total cost of the project has made 15,000,000 roubles.

Speaking at the official opening, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Karelia Valery Boinich mentioned: "About two years ago we opened a modernized regional hospital here. It was a significant investment on the part of the budget of the republic which has created preconditions for further development of public health services in Sortavala region. Today we have supported the metropolitan region's initiative which involved its own funds to reconstruct this building. In turn, the Government of Karelia will help to perchase furniture and equipment."

The polyclinic in Sortavala was opened on the Day of the Town, and on Valaam Island – on the eve of the feast of St. Sergius and St. Herman. Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill honoured the official opening with his presence. One of the main benefactors Vladimir Yakunin, President of the Russian Railways, Inc., came to the island.

As His Holliness Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia said, "If health resorts, clinics are established at monasteries and eparchial establishments, it corresponds to the nature of the church and its purpose. It is remarkable, that today it is done at participation of the state and our benefactors." To the outpatient clinic Patriarch Kirill has made a present of the icon of St. Panteleimon the Healer who is the patron of those who need medical aid.

In reply, Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Karelia Pavel Chernov has pointed out that Government of the republic has always been renedering assistance to Valaam and intends to help further on. At participation of Karelian authorities the island has received steady power supply, objects were restored and roads were repaired. On the eve of opening the outpatient clinic the foundation stone of the new fire department was laid at participation of Sergey Shoigu.

In the new outpatient clinic help will be rendered to the monks and to the temporary population of Saint Island, as well as to pilgrims and tourists, whose number grows every year. Apart from the new spacious rooms, a dental room with modern equipment to render primary health care, the outpatient clinic has gained an opportunity to provide telemedical consultations of the doctors of the leading Russian clinics. At the official opening Vladimir Yakunin has pointed out: "We are very proud that this medical center meets all modern requirements, indeed. For instance, one small resident of Valaam was able to receive advice of three notabilities in medicine."