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Description
In Romania, the mortality rate for major non-communicable diseases remains higher than in other EU countries. The records show a high number of children suffering from different types of cancer in Romania compared to other European countries. Annually, approximately 400-500 new cases are registered and around 5000 children and teenagers are under cancer treatment. The late diagnosis in the advanced stages of the disease leads to a 50% chance of surviving in Romania. The late diagnosis is directly linked to the lack of adequate facilities of paediatric oncology centres and the lack of specialized personnel in modern diagnostic and treatment procedures. Last but not least, people without a decent economic status (rural, disadvantaged communities, etc.) have difficulty following a regular treatment cycle.
The project’s general objective is to increase the access of children suffering from different types of cancer to high quality and efficient medical services in Romania. The increase in the survival rate of children affected with cancer is possible when the modern and performant technical endowment is supported by qualified and trained medical personnel. Therefore, the project has three main components: purchasing high-performance medical care equipment, developing a national set of guidelines for specialists involved in paediatric haemato-oncology diagnostic and treatment and training medical staff in using new technologies in treatment procedures.
The project is implemented by 4 Romanian hospitals (Oncology Institute Cluj, Emergency Clinical Hospital Louis Turcanu Timisoara, Regional Institute of Oncology Iasi and Institute of Oncology “Prof. Dr AL. Trestioreanu” Bucharest) and the Norwegian Directorate of Health. The Norwegian partner will assure the expertise necessary for developing guidelines for specialists involved in treating children with different types of cancer and a national training programme for physicians based on these guidelines.