Volodymyr Lytvyn: Economic Reforms will fail, unless the Social Sector in Districts and Villages is maintained
During the working visit to Zhytomyr region, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met the medical staff of Chervonoarmiisk Central Hospital, and observed construction works at the third block of the in-patient department.
The renovated hospital first started to perform operations on joints transplantation one year ago. This fact confirms that quality medical services can be rendered even in the province, provided the real experts are available. "They are neat-handed, have a conscious mind and passionate heart," the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada stated. V.Lytvyn regrets that 30%of the working physicians are already pensioners, so he suggested establishing a medical institute in the region.
The Head of the Parliament informed that on the recommendation of the People´s Party UAH 8 million had been allotted for the façade renovation and installation of an independent heating module. According to V.Lytvyn, more than UAH 60 million had been allocated for the maintenance of social infrastructure in five districts of Zhytomyr region.
"Economic reforms will fail, unless the social sector in districts and villages is maintained," V.Lytvyn stated.
"Unfortunately, the birth rate is lower than the death rate, and Zhytomyr region is no exception. Moreover, it was in the radioactive contamination zone after the Chornobyl disaster, which requires more careful attention to the medical care," he stressed.
V.Lytvyn singled out the pressing issues of Zhytomyr region: installation of gas service in villages, supply of quality drinking water, construction of a cancer detection centre and TB dispensary. These issues are common for the deputies of district, village and township councils regardless of their party affiliation. "When these issues are to be tackled, the political deals are irrelevant," the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated.
There are 1613 villages in Zhytomyr region. According to Serhii Ryzhuk, Head of the Regional State Administration, who accompanied V.Lytvyn during the visit, a program "1613" is being developed, which envisages construction of new social facilities, such as schools, hospitals and clubs, and development of the rural infrastructure by combined efforts of the regional state administration, People´s Deputies of Ukraine and deputies of the local councils.
Visiting the hospital, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine met a 27-year-old mother of seven children, two of whom she has just delivered. V.Lytvyn agreed to become their godfather.
The Head of the Parliament also visited school №8 of 1-2 grades in Novohrad-Volynskyi that is more than one hundred years old. A new school building to hold 350 pupils is being constructed for seven years already. Extra UAH 10 million having been allocated for the construction owing to the deputies of the People´s Party, the children will go to a new school this year.