Neuro-Cardiology - From Prevention to Rehabilitation

From the data taken from WHO, the leading mortality rate in both countries is the Coronary heart disease, closely followed by Stroke (153,78 in Romania, 116,5 in Serbia for CHD and 104,36 for Romania, 83,3 for Serbia for Stroke - all per 100k residents). Taking into consideration how both types of illnesses are interconnected, the lack of proper medical infrastructure and modern equipment in the programme area and the population in the cross-border region we may conclude that this is a major health crysis. Neurological and Cardiological diseases require early detection and timely treatment and more often than not, intensive rehabilitation following the treatment - all of which is unfortunately subpar. Global trends in treatment of mentioned illnesses are continously evolving and require constant education of experts involved in the fields, interdisciplinary cooperation and intensive communication in order to provide the best possible care for the patients. Also, most of the neuro-cardio conditions affecting the population in the cross-border region are preventable through changes in diet, lifestyle, organized health screenings and other means through which the populace may directly influence their respective general health. However, the awareness level of the population is disturbingly low in regard of neuro-cardio health, hence the proposal for the awareness and prevention campaign with all of its activities, in order to spread and raise awareness about the dangers of neurological and cardiological diseases and how to prevent them - it is always better to prevent, rather than to treat. Specific objective 2.2: Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems, including primary care, and promoting the transition from institutional to family- based and community-based care Through this objective, the project team will focus mostly on significantly improving the infrastructure of both partner institutions - the SHPD Vrsac and the Institute for Cardiovascular diseases Timisoara, through contruction of a new building in Vrsac which will contain a physical rehabilitation centre for recovering patients from neurological conditions, an intensive care unit (stroke centre with 6 beds), additional four beds for stationary capacity and through the acquisition of advanced medical equipment for Timisoara Institute (PLEASE ADD TO YOUR LIKING). Both infrastructural components will directly benefit the cross-border population in South Banat and Timis region as they will be available to everyone through the regular primary and secondary care health systems. The awareness campaign with classical campaining, preventive screenings organized in the cities and rural areas will additionally contribute to the general awareness and increase in prevention of naruological and cardiological illnesses in the region. The educational component will enable experts from both sides of the border to increase their knowledge and know-how and experience, in order to further facilitate and implement their knowledge to provide higher quality health care to patients in their respective regions. Main outputs: Concretely, the implementation of this project will directly contribute to the PSO 03 output, adding two major infrastructural Investments in health care, family-based and community-based care services. We may say that the entire population of South Banat and Timis regions is able to benefit from these investments, since the incidence of cardiovascular and neurological illnesses is high and the investments are permanent in character and will be available to everyone. From a statistical perspective, South Banat region has ~261000 inhabitants (2021 census) and Timis has ~683000 (2011 Census, est. more at this point), which adds up to ~944000 people just in these two affected cross-border regions, all potentially at risk from neuro-cardio diseases and all of which may be treated at some point in the future and therefore, directly benefit from the results of the project and investments, awareness campaign, prevention and trained medical experts. Approach and cross-border justification: Ensuring the cooperation of both major health-care providers in each region treating a variety of medical conditions of neurological and cardiological nature is essential in providing a higher quality health care in both regions - most common neurological conditions are closely related to cardiological health and vice-versa. In order to successfully implement this project, the conglomeration and mutual appropriation of knowledge, expertise and experience from both institutions is absolutely mandatory, which will be done during the course of the implementation and after. Originality: Jointly developed Protocol applicable for dealing with various neuro-cardio conditions applicable in both countries.

During this period, the teams from both partnering institutions met on multiple occasions to discuss further action in the project implementation. It was agreed that procurement contracts will be first on the agenda, followed by the most significant procurements and expenses. The teams initiated market research for their respecive infrastructural investments in order to facilitate the procurement process in the future. JSC of the project was formed with two members and has met once and reached a decision regarding 1st implementation period. However, no expenditure occured in this period.