VU, NCI and VUHSK will combine their efforts, experience, work and knowledge in the preparation and implementation of a cancer strategy in health care for oncological diseases, conducting clinical, applied and fundamental research, solving the problems of oncology patients, oncology science and education by introducing scientific innovations, diagnostic and treatment technologies and innovation in medicine.
"We are very glad that Vilnius University, by carrying out top-level scientific research, cooperates with national health care institutions and thus contributes to the solution of sensitive issues relevant in Lithuania and the whole world. We hope that by working together we will be able to achieve the ambitious goal of creating a Comprehensive Cancer Centre," says VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.
In line with the EU Beating Cancer Plan, the cooperating institutions will seek accreditation by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre providing oncology services and conducting scientific research, which meets all the standards of institutes in the field of oncology formulated by the OECI. The status of such a centre in the world means that the centre not only carries out centre prevention or provides medical services, but also develops the highest scientific research in this field.
"We view this tripartite agreement as an undoubted benefit for our patients, as another step in the implementation of the principles of personalised medicine in Lithuania, which will allow every Lithuanian resident diagnosed with cancer to receive modern services in line with scientific progress. The National Cancer Institute has been actively involved in the activities of OECI for almost two decades, and has been accredited by OECI as a Clinical Cancer Centre since 2013. I firmly believe that the Comprehensive Cancer Center will become the structure of an effective partnership", says Scientific Secretary of NCI, Acting Director Dr. Ernestas Janulionis.
The agreement was signed taking into account the fact that VUHSK and NCI are personal health care institutions that provide the highest level, modern personal health services to patients with oncological diseases, while VU is a university that conducts various levels of life, medical and health sciences studies and prepares specialists of various professional qualifications working in the field of oncology. With the cooperation of these institutions, the aim will be to offer and provide oncology patients with the best model of the diagnostic and treatment system for oncological diseases and quality services, thus contributing to the strengthening and improvement of the Lithuanian national health system, increasing the availability of personal health care services and solving other relevant issues.
"Santaros klinikos is a university hospital, therefore it has the opportunity to cooperate closely and use the potential of all VU targeted and biomedical sciences departments. This provides access to the high technologies of VU and allows diversification of the field of scientific research. The tripartite agreement will give NCI the opportunity to use VU's base as well, will greatly expand the institute's scientific and therapeutic capabilities and will enable it to achieve higher international accreditation together with Santaros klinikos", emphasizes the Director General of VUH Santoros klinikos Prof. Feliksas Jankevičius.
The cooperation agreement was signed by the Rector of VU, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Director General of VUHSK Prof. Dr. Feliksas Jankevičius and Scientific Secretary of NCI, Acting Director Dr. Ernestas Janulionis.
