"A government decision announced on Sep 17 paves the way for the modernization of two important hospitals in central Hungary, funded by the central budget and the EU at a cost of more than Ft8bn ($48m). Budapest's Central Oncology Center and the Vác-based Jávorszky Ödön Hospital have been declared priority projects by the cabinet.The projects form part of the New Hungary Development Plan, which will use EU funding of around Ft480bn ($2.9bn) to provide higher healthcare standards and more effective treatment and care.
“The economic development of Hungary and the strengthening of the country directly ties in with our physical and mental well-being, and, therefore, with the standard of the healthcare system,” the health care ministry said in a statement after the decision.
The ministry said the EU funding will be accessible on an ongoing basis from the Regional Operational Programs and the Social Infrastructure Operational Program.
The plans for the Central Hungary Oncology Center and the Jávorszky Ödön Hospital in Vác (but which also provides services for the residents of the Szob, Dunakeszi, Vác and Veresegyháza micro-regions) will see the main buildings, along with several others, renewed.
The improvements at the Jávorszky Hospital alone will total Ft2.3bn ($14m), and are expected to take effect by the end of 2010. The EU’s contribution will be Ft2bn ($12.1m).
Wards will be converted into rooms with a maximum of five beds and with adjoining toilets and bathrooms.
Energy use will be modernized, the external wall surface of the buildings will be insulated, and windows and doors will be replaced.
Comprehensive
The total costs of the tender submitted for the redevelopment of the Central Hungary Oncology Center is equivalent to Ft6bn ($36.5m).
As a result, a center providing comprehensive services and treatment and satisfying criteria stipulated in connection with European cancer centers norms will be established by the end of 2010.
A new diagnostics building, new ambulance building and new surgery block will be set up as a result of the development.
The institute will be able to provide complex high standard services based on equal opportunity for cancer patients in the region, the health care ministry said.
Hungary’s health fund has shown a modest surplus over the past year and a half, according to economic daily Világgazdaság on Monday (Sep 22). The improvement is partly due to reforms to the pharmacy sector, with the state subsidizing fewer drugs, and partly due to tighter controls over sick pay. The health fund forecast the total cost of sick pay at Ft106.8bn, but in the first eight months has spent only Ft65.4bn, the paper said."
Source: Budapest Sun
25.09.2008