Systematic Reform
The Balashikha Project's two-year development phase has been completed. The accomplishments during this development phase have included:
  1. The establishment of formal and working linkages with the persons in the executive and legislative branches of the Moscow Oblast government. Ongoing administration of this relationship is done through an Advisory Board that meets bimonthly by teleconferencing.

  2. The establishment of a strong working relationship with the health professionals at the emerging Moscow Region Perinatal Center (MRPC), the name now given to the former Balashikha Maternity House.

  3. Formation of a partnership between the Future of Russia Foundation, General Electric Co., Atlanta Rotary Club, and Rossica Rotary Club in Moscow to assist in equipment procurement for the Balashikha Project and to function as a model for Rotary International support.

  4. Initiation of education and training programs for health professionals through:
    • Prenatal lectures in June and November 2002. These were provided at the monthly postgraduate education programs at the MOH for all obstetricians and neonatologists/pediatricians of the Moscow Oblast. When the Moscow Region Perinatal Center is complete, the postgraduate education program will be moved from the MOH in downtown Moscow to the MRPC which is in Balashikha outside the city of Moscow.

    • Visit of six Russian health professionals led by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Gayane Tamazyan, in September 2002 for two weeks in Atlanta to work with health professionals in all three branches of the WHO/CC/RH.

    • Reviewing and reforming data collection for conversion to information supporting intervention to improve maternal and infant care. This was initiated in February 2003. Information from this process was used to influence the educational experience in May 2003.

    • An one-day symposium at the Emory School of Law, supported by the World Law Institute, entitled, "Law and Ethics in the Practice of Medicine and Public Health in the Russian Federation." This was held at the request of the Senior Medical Staff in the Moscow Oblast Ministry of Health and occurred during the physicians visit in September 2002.

    • A return visit in May 2003 to Atlanta by the directors of obstetrics and neonatology (four weeks) and the new chief physician (two weeks) from the Moscow Region Perinatal Center for the purpose of developing practice guidelines and a system of perinatal surveillance.

    • Establishment of communication links for continuous data sharing and analysis and Advisory Board meetings.
  5. Renovation and furnishing of the Antepartum Clinic.

  6. Participation in the procurement of modern equipment for the Antepartum Clinic.

  7. Design of birthing suites and attendant facilities to finish the MRPC.

  8. Plans for implementation:
    • The Plan for Implementation (2004-2006) signed on 1/30/04 by Dr. Vladimir Yu. Semenov, Minister of Health of the Moscow Oblast, and Mr. John C. Straub, President of the Future of Russia Foundation. This document provides a general outline of the activities of the Balashikha Project over the next three years.

    • Expansion by the Future of Russia Foundation of a sophisticated Board of Trustees and Advisors, together with management personnel who are capable and willing to complete the Plan for Implementation.

    • A planned visit in March 2004 to Moscow of seven health professionals (obstetrician, neonatologist, nurse midwife, neonatal nurse practitioner, epidemiologist, public health specialist and pediatrician) from the WHO/CC/RH Atlanta, lead by the Medical Director and President of FOR. This will begin the implementation phase of the project that will continue to include reciprocal visits with continuous exchanges of surveillance data for total quality management and improvement.



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