For the benefit of mere mortals

The scandal surrounding the 31st hospital in St. Petersburg, which, in connection with the planned move to the city of the Supreme Court, was going to be converted into a medical center for its judges, seems to have yielded results. Press Secretary of the Presidential Administrative Department Viktor Khrekov said that hospital No. 31 will not be touched. This hospital treats children with cancer and has unique equipment. Not only concerned citizens, but the Russian Orthodox Church and even deputies of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly and Duma spoke out in defense of this hospital. Even the speaker of the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, raised her voice against the refurbishment of the hospital. Khrekov admitted that the presidential affairs department received requests from deputies and ordinary residents asking them not to touch the hospital.