October 9, 2009. Maltsev, Speaker of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma, visited the Institute of Atmospheric Optics

On the eve of the 30-year anniversary of the Tomsk Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the 40-year anniversary of the academic science in Tomsk, Boris Maltsev visited the Institute Atmospheric Optics named after V. Zuev, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Speaker plans to visit other institutes of the Tomsk Research Center, though it is not fortuitous that the Institute of Atmospheric Optics was his starting point. It is the first academic institute in Tomsk which has undoubtedly been leading in Russian atmospheric optics.

The Oblast Duma Speaker visited laboratories at the basic experiment complex – Topaz Research and Innovation Company. He was shown the advanced developments of the Institute researchers and learnt about plans for the future.

B. Maltsev, Speaker of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma:
‘On the one hand, I admire what I have seen. And this is no wonder, as the Institute Research School is acknowledged worldwide, 60 % of its researchers have doctoral and PhD degrees. The research and experimental labs have a number of unique world-level facilities. It is notable that the Institute implements large-scale international projects in cooperation with researchers from Japan, France and the USA.

On the other hand, I am seized with a feeling of pique, mildly speaking. One example: The Institute is ready to implement a project of serial production of cardiovascular stents based on own developments. And coronary artery stenting is currently the most progressive method of treatment against the coronary heart disease which is a dominating factor of human mortality.

In this respect we are way behind the developed countries! And one of the main causes of this situation is unreasonably high cost for our citizens (45 000 – 110 000 rubles per unit) of intravascular prosthetic devices – stents manufactured abroad. And we do not produce such devices in Russia. We need investment of 100m rubles, not even dollars to tackle this national problem. As I see it, we – the authorities – must get involved in this situation. If we really want to significantly increase life quality and expectancy of hundreds of thousands of citizens. We should less criticize our Academy of Sciences but provide it with more practical assistance – and life will be better!’

The Legislative Duma of Tomsk Oblast

October 9, 2009. Maltsev, Speaker of the Tomsk Oblast State Duma, visited the Institute of Atmospheric Optics