Damascus, (SANA) – Chairman of the State Planning Commission Dr. Taisir al-Raddawi discussed on Tuesday with Fabio Dini, who is in charge of establishing the children heart and bone marrow transplant centers, means of speeding up the project.

The project agreement signed by the Syrian and Italian government is part of scientific cooperation program between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by representative of Medchild Foundation and the Italian San Rafael University Elia Cardi, who is also responsible for children bone marrow transplant training, and representative of the Italian foundation for protection of children's hearts Dr. Tammam Yousef.

The meeting reviewed the project's progress and difficulties facing it.

Dr. al-Raddawi affirmed that the Commission is committed to this project, which is one of the most important cooperation projects with the Italian government, stressing the need to carry it out according to schedule.

The first phase of the project, which consists of construction work for the centers, is scheduled to be finished in September 2008. The second phase involves importing and installing medical equipment and training staff. It is estimated that the heart transplant center will include around 150 employees and that the bone marrow transplant center will include around 60 employees.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen