In 1994 the Komso Children's Hospital in St Petersburg was the subject of a BBC 'That's Life' charity appeal. The result of the appeal was that 270 British volunteers travelled to St Petersburg, renovated the wards, rebuilt the operating theatres and installed two Intensive Care Units - all within the incredibly short time of eight days.

     The Children's Charity Volunteer Group played a major role of that initial magnificent effort. They have stayed the course and have been helping the hospital ever since.

The Hospital

The Hospital was built in 1887 and its original purpose was to serve as an orphanage for the poorer elements of St Petersburg society. In fact, throughout its long history the building has constantly been involved with the treatment and care of unfortunate citizens. In 1917 - demoralised and beaten - Russia withdrew from its involvement in the First World War and the October Revolution swept the country. Some of the old State Institutions took refuge in the Hospital buildings. Later still, during the Great Patriotic War (known as World War Two to us in the west) the building became a Military Hospital for Russian servicemen.

     Two years after the war, in 1947, the premises were adapted yet again. This time their role was as a 1000-bed Regional Hospital serving the St Petersburg area. It remained as such until 1988 when the Regional Children's Hospital became an idependent Public Health Institution with a 385-bed facility catering for all ages, and for all those living in the 88,500 klm2 St Petersburg region.

The Children

     In Russia, over 400,000 children under the age of 15 are cared for by small, local hospitals. Patients in need of specialised treatment, difficult operations or complex and therapeutic management, are referred to the Regional Children's Hospital in St Petersburg. They come from District Health Centres, Medical Institutions and Polyclinics anywhere within a
400-mile radius of the Hospital.

     Progress slowly continues, and the Hospital is looking forward to opening a department dedicated to the care of children with genetic disorders and physical abnormalities. And an Intensive Care Unit for premature and new-born babies has recently been opened.

ICU Ward

Discussions have also recently taken place about the feasability of opening a special ward for the victims of the 1986 Chenobyl nuclear disaster. It has been estimated that up to 170,000 children below the age of seven were exposed to devastating levels of radiation high enough to cause thyroid cancer. The object of the new ward would be to provide facilities and fully qualified, compassionate staff dedicated to the care of these children in the later, terminal stages of their sickness.

     However, because of the costs involved for medical equipment, drugs and facility adaptations - all of which increase at a faster inflationary rate than the state investment - money is not available to put this operation into practice at the present time.

Sometimes throwing money at a problem - other than a dome - will work wonders!

Pargalova Rehabilitation Unit

In addition to the main Hospital in the centre of St Petersburg, there is a rehabilitation unit just outside the city at Pargalova. Yet again, despite the skilled and committed staff, there is a desperate need for medicines and modern, up-to-date equipment. Without it, or the money to acquire it, the service provided can, at best - be second best!

Refurbishment of the Hospital

The continued efforts of the Volunteers and their outstanding work over the past seven years - our most recent projects have been the complete refurbishment of the Endoscopy Unit, Opthalmic and Intensive Care departments - has brought rewards. For instance, we recently received this Certificate of Thanks from the Vice Governor of St. Petersburg for our efforts in renovating the Polyclinic.

     But pieces of paper aside, the true reward is alleviating the sickness and suffering of the children. We can only succeed in this with your help and contributions. Your investment, however small or however generous, will help!

This is a worthy cause!

     So the next time you see your healthy children playing happily in our affluent society, spare a thought and put your hand in your pocket for those who may never know the same joy and satisfaction.