On Tuesday, September 1, Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin held a meeting with students of M. Gorky Donetsk National Medical University. The Head of State congratulated them on the beginning of the academic year and gave guidance to the freshmen. Rector of DonNMU Grigory Ignatenko also attended the meeting, the press service of the DPR Head’s Administration reports.
“I am glad to talk today with medical students, including those young people who are waiting for matriculation to Donetsk National Medical University. I am strongly convinced that having come here to study, you have got an exceptional opportunity to become first-class specialists. Never forget about it and do not miss your chance,” Denis Pushilin addressed the students.
According to the Head of State, medical students must realize the full responsibility for the health of the citizens of the Republic.
“The decision to devote your life to medicine speaks for itself. It means that you consciously volunteered to protect people’s health and save their lives. It is very hard, responsible and honorable. You are expected to take your studies seriously, actively participate in public work of the university, in its scientific and cultural life. But, besides that, being a student of Gorky Donetsk National Medical University means to feel personal responsibility for the future of our country, for the health of its citizens,” the Head of the DPR said.
Denis Pushilin also highlighted the merits of medical students in the fight against COVID-19.
“The high quality of medical personnel training at the university is confirmed by the state accreditation in the Russian Federation. Volunteer movement is actively gaining momentum here. The merits of students in the fight against the coronavirus infection should not go unmentioned. Work hard, learn, and stay true to the traditions of your alma mater. Happy new school year!” the Head of State said.
In turn, Grigory Ignatenko thanked Denis Pushilin for his attentive attitude to students and to the work of educational organizations.
Then the Head of the Republic talked with the students and answered questions that concern today’s youth, as well as personal questions.
About sports activities
— Six days a week I visit the gym for various purposes. I do weightlifting. As my life experience has shown, weights are my thing. Instead of cardio, I play badminton.
About curfew
— We wanted to reduce it seriously in the spring, but due to the situation with COVID-19 there was no time for that, besides there were restrictions that we had to introduce. Now we have renewed the consideration, if not on its complete abolition, then at least its reduction. I hope that we and the law enforcement agencies will find an optimal solution to give more opportunities to our youth to spend time at their discretion.
About salary increase for doctors
— Three stages of the increase are planned, after which we should reach the level of the Rostov region. These include salary increase for public sector employees by 28% on average at each stage, salary for civil servants, which will be raised by 18% on average, pensions and social benefits, which will be raised by 20% on average.
The nearest increase is scheduled for January 1, 2021, then July, and then January 1, 2022, when we must reach the level of our neighboring region.
About modernization of Donetsk hospitals
— Repair is underway now, the Development Program has been launched, roofs are being repaired and so on. In addition to the equipment, which is also now arriving, indoor premises must be overhauled and work in this direction will be intensified.
About the threat of COVID-19 proliferation
— According to experts, the situation is stable at the moment, there are no signs that will make us talk about the transition to distance education again. It is difficult to make long-term predictions. Personally, I put great hope on the vaccine, which is registered in the Russian Federation. I very much hope that we will use distance education only for subsidiary goals: for advanced training, extra curriculars, etc. And full-fledged intramural education will be prevalent.
About conscription into the DPR armed forces
— I understand that the question arose because there are many rumors, speculations and other things on the Internet. I will tell you this: sooner or later we will still come to the point where conscription will be needed. But this is not conscription to the front line, we have qualified military who defend our borders. The conscription will involve military training in the rear, because a man must remain a man. And, as experience has shown, war can happen at any moment. We did not expect it in 2014, but it came. Due to the fact that we had had a sufficient number of people who finished the military service and understood what it means to defend their land, we were able to withstand. Too long breaks without conscription may negatively affect the security of future generations of our country. But it is too early to talk about the conscription this year.
About opening the borders with the LPR
— The matter is now back on track. Our coronavirus control headquarters cooperate with the same headquarters in the LPR and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs are involved. In fact, we are now in the final stage of negotiating a document that will allow us to talk about the safety of movement and counteracting the factors that could force us to continue to keep the border with the LPR closed. We will resolve the issue and the border will be open tn the very near future.
