The Tatrzański District in Poland, home to 65,000 residents, has until recently suffered under the region's lack of capacity and equipment for preventive medical checks and screening detection of disease. The only institution with suitable staff and premises to carry out such tests, the Tytus Chałubiński District Hospital in Zakopane, has not been able to provide the services due to lack of modern equipment and funds to carry out tests free of charge under the public health care system.
The Tytus Chałubiński District Hospital in Zakopane has now been awarded funding from the EEA Grants to purchase the necessary equipment for identifying possible birth defects in foetuses and infants as well as ensuring early detection of neoplastic lesions that may lead to breast or colon cancer. With the new equipment in place, the region hopes to reduce the number of newborn deaths and cases of adults with bowel and breast cancer in the Tatrzański District. Medical tests will be provided free of charge.
In addition to the new medical equipment, an information and educational campaign will be carried out in the area to promote the screening possibilities and raise awareness about the diseases and prevention measures. The project has been developed with the support of the local government.