Philips provides imaging systems for new children’s
oncology centre in Moscow
3 June 2011
Philips, in partnership with Russian cancer charity the Grant Life
Foundation, is providing imaging technology to a new
Children’s Oncology complex in Moscow, which opened on the International
Children’s Day on 1 June.
The complex, costing the Russian Government 10.6 billion rubles
($668 million/475 million Euros), is part of the Federal Research
and Clinical Center for Children Hematology, Oncology and Immunology
(FRC-PHOI) which is one of the largest state-of-the-art cancer
pediatric facilities worldwide, designed to treat up to 500 Russian
children each year.
According to Grant Life Foundation, it is estimated that about 5,000
children and teenagers in Russia are diagnosed with blood cancer and
other oncologic diseases annually of whom around 30%, or 1,500 die
because they do not get adequate treatment.
Philips is supplying a range of equipment which has been designed to
be child-friendly including the ‘Ambient Experience solution’ and a
‘Kitten Scanner’. The Philips Ambient Experience solution creates an
environment where young patients feel more at ease and more
comfortable during diagnostic procedures by integrating technologies
such as lighting, sound and video projection. Using a touch screen
tablet doctors and young patients can create a relaxing atmosphere.
Reducing anxiety can cut down image retakes and the need for
sedation, and enhances the child’s and their family’s experience.
The award-winning Kitten Scanner is a small version of the scanner
that can help alleviate a child’s anxiety prior to having a scan.
The Kitten Scanner, through play, familiarizes the child with the
procedure they are about to go through. An animation on the TV
screen invites the child to choose an animal character, place it on
the bed of the mini-scanner and, through story-telling, explains how
doctors see inside the body.
“Philips is proud to be supporting Russia’s first specialist
children’s oncology hospital. We are providing proven Philips
solutions to make the world of medical equipment less frightening
for children and their parents and to reduce their fears and
anxieties about hospital procedures. Philips is committed to
simplifying oncology care provision in Russia and we hope to
continue to work together with the Federal Research Center on future
initiatives,” commented Arjan de Jongste, CEO of Philips Russia.
As part of the arrangement, Philips will also provide the hospital
with numerous different imaging systems and other healthcare
equipment. The Philips Achieva 3.0T X-series MRI was the first such
device to be installed in the center. The system provides simple
operation with fast scanning, an extremely broad clinical reach and
superb image quality.
In addition to medical equipment Philips will provide kitchen
equipment and a mother-and-child room to make patients feel more
comfortable and at home.
Putting the welfare of children
first is also a high priority for the hospital. Galina Novichkova,
chief medical officer of the FRC-PHOI states: “A creative approach
to the design of the building has been critical. We didn’t want the
facility to be a typical grey building that frightens children so,
with the help of German designers, we have made it colourful,
cheerful and comfortable, both inside and out to try to make
children’s stay here as fun as possible.”
Children with cancer are the raison d’être for the Grant Life
Foundation. Founded in 2006 by internationally acclaimed Russian
actresses Dina Korzun and Chulpan Khamatova, the Foundation focuses
on the prevention of child mortality in cases where parents cannot
cover costly medical treatment.
Chulpan Khamatova,
co-founder of the Grant Life Foundation, and mother-of-two said: “In
Russia, around 14 children are diagnosed with cancer each day and
the number is growing. Cancer is one of the main causes of toddler
deaths due to the lack of medical infrastructure. The aim of the
Grant Life Foundation is to help these children and we welcome
Philips’ help with much-needed child-friendly equipment. We are very
excited about the opening of this new facility as this will provide
the children with the best possible treatment.”