The World Bank in Russia's Regions. Chuvashiya Republic: Results on the Ground

June 23, 2006 - Kristalina Georgieva, Director and Resident representative of the World Bank in Russia visited Chuvashia to meet with the President of Chuvash Republic Nikolay Fedorov, Authorized Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in Volga Federal Region (Okrug) Alexander Konovalov, and with Chuvash Minister of Finance Nikolay Smirnov. During  this one-day visit Kristalina Georgieva also participated in the official opening of the Interregional Conference "Competitiveness of Russia - Regional Aspects".

The main goal of this visit was to see results of the World Bank financed projects, which are being implemented in Chuvash Republic - Education Reform Project, Health Reform Implementation Project and TB/AIDS Control Project.

EDUCATION REFORM PROJECT – “WE ARE GOING UP!”

The delegation visited Cheboksary Professional College in which a Resource Center of "Applied Technologies" was established in April 2003 under Education Reform Project.  The center, which specializes in metal processing and radio electronics, is known to be one of the most advanced in the Republic. Minister of Education of Chuvash Republic Ms. Chernova, who accompanied the World Bank’s delegation, stressed, that such facility is unique for Russia and provides opportunities for students not only to learn theory but also to apply it in practice using modern training and computer equipment. College Director demonstrated some training facilities which were equipped under the Project.

A short meeting with the Heads of other Resource Centers established in Chuvashia was held during this visit.  During this meeting an interesting comment was made by the representative of employer's union: “During the last several years the employers in Chuvash can clearly feel, that the level of professional training in Chuvash has gone up. We are proud of that, as we feel our belonging to that.”

HEALTH REFORM IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT – THE STORY OF SUCCESS

One of the main events during this visit was devoted to the delivery of ambulances both under the National Priority Project of Russian Government, under which the Republic received 85 cars and also 92 cars under The World Bank’s financed Health Reform Implementation Project. President Fedorov, Mr. Konovalov and Mr. Zurabov, Federal Minister of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation took part in this ceremony.  “I would like to note, that though the National Priority Project helped to re-equip the ambulance fleet in Russia for 30%, in Chuvash Republic, due to our cooperation with the World Bank, we manage to reach 100% of re-equipment” – said President Fedorov.

During this ceremony, the official opening of the Republican Rehabilitation Center in the Children's Clinical Hospital also took place.  Under Health Reform Implementation Project both training and equipment for this Center will be provided.  The same can be mentioned about the Presidential Perinatal Center which was also visited by President Fedorov, Minister Zurabov and Kristalina Georgieva.  This Center can be regarded as the center-of-excellence for all Russian regions as it provides services to all rayons of the Republic.  It also uses tele-medicine techniques with the remote clinics in the Republic which was demonstrated during the visit.

The Bank’s delegation had a chance to visit one of the GP offices which was opened under Health Reform Implementation Project in Cheboksary (capital of  Chuvashia) - a great example that GP can work very well not only in rural areas but also in the city.  There are more than 300 GP offices opened in Chuvashia already.  The Bank’s Project was instrumental in this process and provided not only equipment sets for some of these offices, but also allowed to train additional GPs and to procure professional literature for them.  Computer equipment was also procured under the project.   During the visit City Chief Physician illustrated the effective and efficient work of GPs by the following figure - the referral rate to the narrow specialists went down from more than 30% (at the time of district therapists) to 2% (with GPs being fully operational).

GOING AHEAD

During her visit Kristalina Georgieva had a chance to talk to staff of the laboratory in the Republican TB Clinic.  This clinic has been involved not only in the Bank supported project but also in WHO TB programs in Russia.  Such combination allowed the lab to become one of the best in its kind in Russia being able to deal also with MDR cases of TB.  TB/AIDS Control Project is only starting its full-scale implementation in Chuvashia with more training activities and equipment still to come within next few months.

During the official meetings, President of Chuvashiya Nikolay Fedorov thanked Kristalina Georgieva for all help and support, provided by The World Bank to Republic. In response, Kristalina Georgieva said that though the visit was too short to visit all projects’ sites, the World Bank is absolutely sure that the most fruitful cooperation between the Bank and Republic of Chuvashiya will bring even more positive results. “We will make every effort to considerably enhance Chuvashiya’s participation in Bank’s projects. Let’s drive for results.” – she added.