23 September, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Br64.2 billion has been allocated for the implementation of the "Children of Belarus" presidential programme for 2006-2009. This was announced today by Elena Bogdan, Head of the Department for Mother and Child Welfare of the Ministry of Health of Belarus, at a national seminar for paediatricians, which is taking place on 23-24 September in Vitebsk, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Financing of the programme in the first half of the current year amounted to Br478.7 million. "All tasks set by the "Children of Belarus" programme have been fulfilled," emphasised Elena Bogdan. The situation of children with disabilities, orphans, and children left without parental care or in difficult life situations has improved in the country. The system of social service institutions for families and children has been developed. Interdepartmental coordination and efforts to promptly identify children living in disadvantaged families have been strengthened. The coverage of orphans and children left without parental care by family-based care arrangements has increased by up to 70%. The number of children with psychophysical development disorders who have undergone various types of rehabilitation is growing. The coverage of children with various forms of health improvement and sanatorium-resort treatment has expanded by 15%. The number of children and adolescents involved in various forms of extracurricular activities has increased. "Tangible results have been achieved in each of the sub-programmes," noted the specialist. The new "Children of Belarus" presidential programme for 2011-2015 is currently undergoing coordination. It will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration on 1 October, Elena Bogdan added. -0-

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