Wednesday 4 February is the World Cancer Day. Two of the beneficiary states of the EEA and Norway Grants, Lithuania and Poland, have allocated a substantial part of the support from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to projects targeting early detection and treatment of cancer. Eight projects are supported with a total of almost €10 million in these two countries.
Upgrades to Lithuanian hospitals
Lithuania has prioritised health and childcare projects under the EEA and Norway Grants. Of the €17 million approved projects within this sector, 27% is so far reserved for cancer related projects. Lithuania's mortality rate for cancer is high compared to other European countries, making the projects related to cancer an important category among the country's health projects.
In Klaipeda, the district hospital has received support to modernise its premises for treating oncological diseases and purchase new medical equipment for screening, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A grant has also been awarded to increase the early diagnosis capacity in breast cancer treatment in the Telsiai district.
In capitol Vilnius, the Centre Policlinic has received support from the EEA and Norway Grants to expand its early diagnosis capacity and breast and cervix uteri cancer treatment. In addition to the purchase of new equipment, medical staff from across the country working within the field of oncological diseases will be trained. The Policlinic will in addition organise information campaigns for the public.
A wide-spanning project is also ongoing to provide new technology for cancer related services in six Lithuanian health care institutions. New medical equipment will be purchased for Vilnius University Institute of Oncology, Siauliai Hospital, Klaipeda Hospital, Kaunas Medical Unviersity Clinics, Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clincs, and Vilnius University Children Hospital.
Pilot projects in Poland
Close to €4.9 million has been allocated to cancer projects in Poland. The four projects include a pilot project in Gdansk that will provide lung cancer screening services for early diagnosis for people in the Pomeranian region. The project is implemented in partnership with Ullevål University Hospital, Norway.
The Provincial integrated Hospital in Eblag has received a grant to support an initiative to increase the population's involvement in health prophylaxis programs in the Warmian and Mazurian Province. The overarching aim is to decrease the morbidity rate resulting from large intestine cancer and breast cancer.
In Slupsk, the Janusz Korczak Regional Specialist Hospital is implementing a project aimed at improving cancer detection and treatment services for cancer patients in the Central Pomeranian region. The project is being carried out in partnership with Lillehammer University College.
In the Elckie sub region the quality of medical services will be improved through a new Screening Examinations Program for large intestine tumour. The Project Promoter is the Masurian Healthcare Center healthcare entity in Elk - "Pro-Medica" Ltd.