President Peter Pellegrini, together with Health Minister Kamil Šaško, attended the Centre of Princess Máxima in the Netherlands, which is considered to be the top in children's oncology in Europe. This work trip contributed to the acquisition of valuable knowledge and inspiration for building a new Slovak National Centre for Children's Oncology. The new centre should integrate the latest technologies, research and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
Princess Máxima's Center in Utrecht is known for its advances in the diagnosis, treatment and research of child cancer and was therefore a key item on the agenda. Part of the Slovak delegation was also director of the National Institute of Children's Diseases MUDr. Peter Barton, head of the Clinic of Children's Hematology and Oncology Prof. MUDr. Alexandra Kolenová, PhD. and director of the Medical Implementation Agency MVDr. Martina Vulganová.
–The centre of Princess Maxima shows what can be achieved when high-end medicine is combined with effective management and innovation. Our aim is to build a similar centre in Slovakia to provide the most modern care to children's patients, said Minister of Health Kamil Šaško. Discussion with experts covered thematic areas ranging from innovative therapeutic approaches to funding and the organisational structure of healthcare. The Centre is already successfully cooperating with the National Institute of Children's Diseases and the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University in Bratislava, which brings concrete results in improving health care in Slovakia and abroad.
The Minister of Health also visited the Queen Vilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht, which provides comprehensive paediatric care. Negotiations were also held with Invest International representatives on financing possibilities for the planned children's oncology centre in Slovakia. The mission was completed by a meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister, which further strengthened relations between the two states.
The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic considers this journey a significant step in the field of child oncology. Thanks to strong international cooperation, we can bring the latest practices and a better future for our patients to Slovakia.
