European countries are helping Ukrainian patients with rare and chronic diseases who find it difficult to escape the war. Health workers have already transported about 25 child cancer patients to the Czech Republic. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09) said.
“It was in agreement with the oncology centers in Motol because we are top in this field,” the minister added.
On Thursday, he also spoke with the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, who was visiting the Czech Republic, about ensuring the transfer of Ukrainian patients. The visit included a Prague Refugee Assistance Centre tour at the Congress Centre.
The Commissioner said that around 10,000 beds have already been provided for refugees in need of hospital care in the various Member States across Europe. “Several transfers have already taken place, and more will continue,” the Commissioner added. At the same time, she called on the Czech authorities not to hesitate to ask for help if the healthcare system comes under pressure due to the influx of patients.
According to the minister, the director of the Brno University Hospital, Jaroslav Štěrba, a professor of oncology and the head of the pediatric oncology clinic, should help coordinate care for pediatric oncology patients or those with rare diseases across Europe.
What’s next?
Válek said the EU should agree on long-term cooperation in the care of pediatric patients from Ukraine, among other things, because of the problematic insurance situation in Ukraine.
“As a doctor, I cannot imagine that we would have dispersed these children in a European country, and when the war ended with Ukraine’s victory, we would have returned them to Ukraine to carry on as they wish,” he said.