"Infant mortality rates are increasing in Central Asia...Adult mortality rates have worsened in Russian Federation and some its neighbors" - 2004 World Bank report
Many examples in this lecture are from Georgia, but the probability is high that similar problems exist in other countries of former Soviet Union (FSU).

M. Jalagonia has been working for one international humanitarian organisation in Georgia for many years (he is a local employee). He is an author of Georgian book "100 Cases in Gastroenterology". The goal
of the book is to improve understanding of western medical concepts
(especially, evidence-based approach) in Gastroenterology by the Georgian doctors. In 2003 he became a volunteer consultant for a local NGO "Association Esculapius". One of the goals of the association is to improve quality of health care in Georgia. e-mail: malkhaz_j@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: This lecture reflects the views of the author and of "Association Esculapius", but not necessarily of the international humanitarian organisation the author works for.