This assessment report recommends that Médecins du Monde Sweden establish a mission of long duration in St.Petersburg. The assessment has focused on two vulnerable elements within the population, however, it is clear that there are needs to be met in a great many spheres and that Russian doctors would willingly cooperate in joint projects with their Swedish counterparts across the medical spectrum, ranging from reproductive health through to infectious diseases.
The geographic position in St. Petersburg generates an interest on the part of the Swedish people and state as to what goes on there. This is particularly true in matters relating to the potential HIV epidemic which knows no state boundaries and can be considered a matter of national security for Sweden.
Thus work should begin immediately on seeking funds for the initial Médecins du Monde Sweden Street Child Project. As described earlier in the report, this project will rehabilitate space for a day centre, provide for local medical staff, awareness literature for street children and the initiation of a permanent mission in collaboration with Médecins du Monde France and local partner NGOs. The project should complement the programs of Médecins du Monde France and as such should be carried out in close cooperation with the St Petersburg office, the head of mission and the desk officer in Paris.
A working group composed of KaroIinska Institute and Médecins du Monde Sweden members should be formed immediately to initiate an infectious diseases project based on HIV prevalence/incidence monitoring, knowledge transfer, network strengthening, training and exchange programs.
This updated version of the report is on the Médecins du Monde Sweden website along with maps and photographs in order to begin the process of heightening the awareness of the Swedish general public to the problems in St Petersburg. This awareness raising process will be accentuated through public speaking engagements and lectures as part of the preparatory stage.
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