Neuroexcellence Without Borders

The project "Neuroexcellence Without Borders" will be implemented in partnership with significant medical institutions: the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital located in Lutsk, and the University Hospital in Bialystok situated in Bialystok. These institutions primarily cater to residents of the Volyn region in Ukraine and the Podlasie voivodeship in Poland, who are 18 years and older. Unfortunately, there is a mismatch in time and uneven capacity of major medical establishments in the field of neurosurgery to offer high-quality comprehensive neurosurgical services and ensure maximum surgical activity. There is a substantial demand for neurosurgical services, but hospitals often lack the capacity to fully cover it. This is due to the growing incidence of cerebrovascular diseases, oncological conditions, an increase in head and spinal injuries due to transportation and industrial developments, and degenerative spinal diseases caused by lifestyle (civilization-related diseases). A significant new challenge has arisen - the emergence of a new category of neurosurgical patients in Ukraine, those affected by military actions (both military personnel and civilians). The project partners are trying to address these challenges independently, but in collaboration, with direct access to experience, established practices, and additional resources, this process will be much more effective. The material and technical condition as well as the institutional organization of the neurosurgical unit at the Volyn Clinical Hospital significantly lags behind that of the hospital in Bialystok. However, the population covered by these institutions is quite similar: 857 640 adults in Volyn, and 924 756 adults in Podlasie. Therefore, the Partner has expressed readiness to assist the Lead Partner in implementing measures that would enhance the institutional capacity of the neurosurgical unit (such as creating a Regional Neurosurgery Center offering a wide range of services under one roof, increasing the number of available beds, establishing an additional operating room, creating an intensive care unit for neurosurgical patients). The partners will undertake measures to equip and modernize the equipment to respond effectively to the growing number of neurosurgical patients. The Partner is also interested in the Lead Partner's experience in working with those affected by military actions. The partners have also decided to work with the project beneficiaries to remind them of disease prevention measures that lead patients to neurosurgical departments, through the informational campaign "Healthy Plan". These activities are planned and will be implemented using a cross-border approach. Within the project, support will be provided to two medical entities: the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital (VRCH) and the University Hospital in Bialystok. Reconstruction work will be carried out at VRCH, and medical equipment will be procured for both hospitals. Training for neurosurgeons for representatives from both partners will be conducted using cadaver materials. Furthermore, an experience exchange training visit for a delegation from the Volyn hospital to the Bialystok hospital will be organized. A jointly developed solution will be established within the project: the "Cross-border Neurosurgery Center Volyn & Podlasie" as a cooperative platform. An increase in the number of patients in the neurosurgical departments of partner hospitals is anticipated. Currently, the neurosurgical units of the partners serve 3,285 patients per year (Lead Partner – 1075, Partner - 2210). It's planned to increase to 3,650 patients per year (Lead Partner – 1340, Partner – 2310), representing a growth of 365 (Lead Partner – 265, Partner – 100). A large-scale information campaign about the Programme, the project, and its components will be carried out. The adult population of the Volyn region and the Podlasie voivodeship will be the ultimate beneficiaries totaling 1 782 400 individuals.