Birth rate up in Chechnya

On results of last year, the birth rate in Chechnya is exceeding the death rate, the Chechen Health Minister Shakhid Akhmadov said on Friday.

According to him, the population increase in Chechnya stood at 1,800 per 1 million in 2002.

Restoration of 62 facilities of the Chechen health service is under way now, Akhmadov said. Fifty two of them are to be restored and overhauled in Grozny. By now, eight hospitals have already been restored in the Chechen capital.

A total of 177.2 mln rubles has been allocated to restore the Chechen Health Ministry system and 267 mln rubles (30.5 rubles approximately equals 1 US dollar) are to be allocated next year.

International non-governmental organisations, such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, Doctors of the World participate in restoration activities, the Chechen health minister said. They also provide help with medicines. There is sufficient quantity of medicines supplied in Chechen health institutions, he declared.