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Public Health

Public health system in the Udmurt Republic comprises 105 combined hospitals, 55 clinics, 10 health centers, and 11 sanatoria. Of these public health institutions 23 hospitals are located in district centers and 43 operate in villages, there are 676 feldsher-midwife stations operating in the republic’s villages and cities. They are staffed with 7314 doctors and 17,157 paramedical workers.

The Government of the Udmurt Republic considers reforming public health system a matter of primary importance; it keeps working on increasing the availability and quality of medical services. As a result, the material and technical foundation of this sphere has been significantly improved, contemporary diagnostics and treatment methods are being introduced. 51 public health institutions have been launched in recent years, 40 more are under construction. 12 republican target programs aimed at improving the public health system are being implemented in Udmurtia, in 2007 alone 395.4 million rubles was provided for their implementation. High technologies are being actively developed, including the creation of a telemedicine network.

Sports

Udmurtia is rightfully considered a leading sports center in the Ural and Volga regions. Udmurt skiers and biathletes are famous around the world: Galina Kulakova, four times Olympic champion and nine times world champion; Tamara Tikhonova, two times Olympic champion and two times world champion (cross-country skiing); Valery Medvedtsev, Olympic champion; five times world champion Aleksey Kobelev; three times world champion Ivan Tcherezov (biathlon), and many others. Besides their own efforts, their successes are a result of their coaches’ systematic efforts. It is no coincidence that in 2008 the Biathlon Olympic Reserve School and a sports complex named after Galina Kulakova for training new generations of skiers were established, the Izhevsk biathlon complex is going to undergo a major reconstruction.

There are a number of other world-famous Udmurt athletes: Aleksey Chizhov, international grand master in international checkers, nine times world champion; German Skurygin, world champion in walking; Svetlana Bubenkova, two times world champion and Olympics participant (bicycle); Maria Feklistova, three times European champion and 2000 Olympics medal winner (target shooting).

Udmurt bicyclists, swimmers, track-and-field athletes, motorcycle and automobile racers have successfully participated in all-Russian and international competitions. Such team sports as soccer, volleyball, ice hockey, handball and basketball are also very popular in Udmurtia.

Because of the successes of Udmurt athletes, numerous all-Russian sports federations have often selected Izhevsk as a venue for holding regional and all-Russian tournaments. Every year the capital of the Udmurt Republic hosts over 600 competitions at district, city, republican, all-Russian and international levels. For over 50 years now Peace Relay Race (track-and-field) and Ring Bicycle Race have been held in Udmurtia, the Gold Puck (ice hockey) and Leather Ball (soccer) children’s tournaments are quite popular. Every year thousands of athletes represent Udmurtia in the Cross-Country Race of Nations and the Russia’s Ski-Track all-Russian competitions.

It has become a good tradition in the Udmurt Republic to hold winter and summer sports competitions of athletes living in villages. In August 2006 Izhevsk hosted the 6th All-Russian Summer Rural Sports Games; Vladimir Putin participated in the opening ceremony.

Udmurtia's Sports Pride

Galina Alekseevna Kulakova (cross-country skiing)

Distinguished Master of Sports.

Four times Olympic champion (1968, 1972, 1976, 1980), nine times world champion, 39 times champion of the USSR.

Awarded: Order of Lenin, three Badge of Honor orders, IV degree Service to the Fatherland order.

Distinguished Cultural Worker of the Udmurt Republic, Distinguished Coach of Russia, Honored Citizen of the Udmurt Republic, Honored Citizen of the City of Izhevsk.

In 1984 Galina Kulakova received the highest award in sports, the Olympic Order.

In 2001 she was assigned the XX Century Legend title, in 2002 – the highest civil reward, the Hope of the Nation sign.

Today Galina Alekseevna Kulakova lives and works in Izhevsk.

On May 8, 2001, on the initiative of the President of the Udmurt Republic Alexander Volkov, in honor of the distinguished fellow citizen, the Galina A. Kulakova House Museum was opened in the Italmas township, Zavyalovo District. The museum presents numerous diplomas, medals, cups and other trophies and souvenirs, and many other items related to Galina Kulakova’s life and sports achievements.