The exhibition HOSPITAL is the largest trade exhibition on Northwest aimed at realization of the Federal program on improvement of health services of the population of Russia (the National project "HEALTH"). The exhibition promotes the development of co-operation and the establishment of contacts in the area of medicine between the Russian and the international community and has a priority status for St.Petersburg. In 2001 the Committee on Foreign Affairs declared the HOSPITAL exhibition to be the best exhibition in St.Petersburg with the most effective foreign participation.