Children’s Day in Russia: Putin Honors Large Russian Families With State Awards
On Friday, June 1st, we traditionally celebrate the International Children's Day. There are 27,000,000 children in Russia, and they need special care. Today, they are children, tomorrow, they are the country's people and future. Thus, the kids must be physically and psychologically healthy, receiving good high-quality education, looking forward to the future, and being happy. This is the common goal for families and for the government.
On Children's Day, President Putin visited the new building of Morozov's Children Hospital in Moscow. He talked to the doctors and to the patients. Later that night, he awarded the families from various Russian regions with 3 or more children with the Order of Parental Glory.
Marina Gromova has the details.
Svetlana Lusta: "Lena, Dima, Katya, Natasha, Andrey, Sasha, Serezha, Nadya, Veronika, and Danik. And, my grandchildren, Misha and Anita".
The Lusta family from the Kaliningrad Region barely fit on two sofas. They rarely stay in the same place, this was an exception for the interview. Every day, they engage in games, meals, and lessons. Svetlana and Andrey have 9 own children and one foster child.
Svetlana Lusta: "They began to ask me to have a tenth child. But, I said I couldn't do it due to age, so we decided to adopt a child. Now, Veronika asks for a sister of the same age, so we plan to adopt another one".
It seems that all big families are alike, and their happiness is similar. How can you not learn to help and empathize when you have 6 sisters and 3 brothers? That's the case of Zhenya, the oldest daughter of priest Philip Ilyashenko.
Evgeniya Ilyashenko: "I'm the oldest, and I remember almost all of them when they were brought home from the maternity home. I've been babysitting them since I was 10. It's routine for me. People are often surprised that I know how to do it".
This year, Zhenya is entering the MSU's geography department. She rushed to the Kremlin after taking her state exam in maths. Her parents, the Ilyashenko couple, just like Svetlana and Andrey Lusta, are among those who were awarded the Order of Parental Glory by Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin: "The people who are here today are regular people, but they are the most important for our country. You raise children, which is the most important thing for any country. You put your heart in it, doing an incredible job, being highly professional about it, in the most literal and widest meaning of this word".
The Kremlin's halls were temporarily turned into a big game zone. Kids played with toy cars on the wooden floors. Presidential Regiment guards barely suppressed their smiles. The men in beautiful uniforms with shiny weapons really attracted young visitors. The usually strict Federal Protective Service officers gave in to children's ingenuousness.
"Yes, yes, we're artists".
The Nesmeyanov family came to Moscow from Stavropol, where everyone has their own duties at home. Younger girls prepare meals while the older ones play violin and mow the lawn.
Ilya Nesmeyanov: "Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, we sincerely thank you for taking such great care of us and of our children. You take care of Russia's children, of families with many children. What I'm trying to say is that a strong family means a strong country".
Many guests get a bit shy at these big tables. For most of them, it's their first time in the Kremlin and even in Moscow. However, they didn't miss the chance to take a selfie with the President. And little Korney even showed some attitude.
Vladimir Putin: "We scared the little guy, but it's alright, he'll calm down soon".
The Order of Parental Glory was introduced 10 years ago. It's awarded for a great contribution to preserving family values and for special merits in raising children. For all the time, 363 families have been awarded the Order.
Vladimir Putin: "We do a lot to support families with children, especially those with many children. However, I know that we're not doing enough, you can be sure of that. We'll do our best to support your families and other families like yours".
On Children's Day, Putin went to the place where they protect children daily.
Savely, the Morozov's Children Hospital patient, waited for the president so anxiously that he didn't believe his eyes.
— Hello, are you the President?
— I am.
— I'm Savely
— Hello, Savely. How are you feeling?
— I'm well.
— What are your plans?
— I'm getting transferred today.
— Great. How long have you been here? He's so adorable.
Just like Vladimir Putin, Savva loves hockey, but he's yet to hold a hockey stick. However, he's already a real man at 6. Only a few days ago, Savely underwent a serious surgery for receiving a kidney transplant. His Dad was his donor, and now both of them are undergoing rehabilitation here.
The physician: "This is our hero Dad who donated a kidney to his son. They're both doing well now".
Vladimir Putin: Just hold out a little longer, get better, and you'll be running around soon.
— He'll watch TV.
— Get better, buddy. Give me your hand.
— Say 'thank you.
— Goodbye.
— Can I give him a kiss?
— Of course.
— Take care.
— The chief President kissed me!
— I wish you all the best.
— And you, Mom, don't get a kiss!
— She has your Dad for it.
— Yes.
— Daddy will kiss Mommy.
The President was given a tour of the new building. Currently, this is one of the best hospitals in Europe with 7 floors of state-of-the-art medical equipment. It has oncology and orphan disease departments, the first pediatric stroke center in Russia. The first departments of pediatric organ and tissue transplant departments in Moscow, and an emergency cardiovascular surgery department. Children from all over Russia are admitted here with all diagnoses.
Every maternity home in Moscow screens newborns for congenital disorders and defect. If they detect anything, Morozov's hospital sends out one of these mobile ICUs. They transport even premature newborns in the specially installed couveuse. Patients go straight to the prepared surgery rooms. When there's no time to think, doctors make immediate decisions, saving lives.
Mikhail Abramyan, the Head of the Cardiovascular Dept. of Morozov's Children Hospital: "There are no weight restrictions, if no bypass is required for the surgery. We've had patients weighing only 500 and 600 grams. Just yesterday, we operated on a newborn who weighed 3 kg. He had CCHD".
Styopa was also admitted here with heart disease. His parents are always by his side, they even let them stay with him in the ICU. The boy already had surgery.
Aleksandr Meftadinov, father: We were very surprised to see him watch cartoons. The doctors were, like, ‘great, Mom and Dad are here.' We asked, 'Can he walk?' They were, like, ‘he has to!’ He was still weak on the first day, but on the second day, Mom had to chase him around.
— I did.
— It's a miracle.
Putin personally saw that Morozov's Hospital doctors consult regional hospitals. The doctors held a video conference with their Sevastopol colleagues in front of the President.
Aleksey Slobodyanik, Chief of Medicine of "The Family Healthcare Center": "We've given over 1,000 consultations, referring over 100 kids to our colleagues in Morozov's Hospital".
Another building for radiology in Morozov's Hospital is being designed right now. There, they will set up a center for radiation treatments. Nowadays, cancer is detected at early stages, and little patients will have a chance of a normal life after a treatment course. Children's health is one of priority goals of the President's large program, 'The Childhood Decade' that was launched this year. Among its projects are education, children's leisure, maternity support, and orphancy-related issues. Today, they're doing everything to ensure that this decade is filled with real actions.
Marina Gromova, Aleksandr Balitsky, Aleksandra Terpugova, and Sergey Dovgal Vesti — News of the Week.