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.”