Gazprom Transgaz Belarus to grant $1m for healthcare projects for children

         Gazprom Transgaz Belarus will provide about $1 million in sponsor aid to implement projects on early detection of hearing and vision impairments in children. The projects were discussed at a meeting between First Deputy Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko and Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee Alexei Miller. The Healthcare Ministry of Belarus and the international children’s charity foundation Chance have signed a cooperation agreement envisaging the implementation of a nationwide program
        “Early detection of hearing impairments in children”. The program is set to run for two years. As part of the program, all central healthcare facilities will be equipped with cutting-edge medical devices for early diagnosis of hearing impairments in children (over 370 pieces of equipment will be purchased), as well as equipment for hearing screening of newborns and babies. The program will expand rehabilitation and treatment opportunities for babies aged 6-9 months.  “At present, there is one deaf baby per 1,000 newborns; by the age of three the number of deaf children makes up 5%,” Director of the international children’s charity foundation Chance Natalia Makhanko said. “Early detection of hearing disorders allows preventing the development of diseases,” she said. Vladimir Semashko noted that these projects are very important for Belarus. “Belarus is a welfare state that attaches great importance to people’s health (which starts from children’s health),” he said.