FOČA AND RUSSIAN ONCOLOGISTS JOIN FORCES IN COMBATING MOST SERIOUS DISEASES

FOČA, MAY 13 /SRNA/ - The University Hospital Foča has signed a cooperation agreement in the field of oncology treatment with the Napalkov Oncology Centre from Saint Petersburg, whose delegation visited their colleagues in Foča for the first time today and introduced them to treatment methods used in Russia.

Director of the Oncology Centre in Saint Petersburg Vladimir Moiseyenko stressed that the cooperation will be mutually beneficial and that continuous studying is doctors' duty. "You have many oncology patients, and so many people suffering from these diseases is devastating. Treating patients in advanced stages is extremely complex, which is the problem that has not been solved anywhere - not in Russia, Serbia, the United States, or Western Europe, which is why this kind of cooperation is necessary," the Russian oncologist said. He added that they will consider the possibility of publishing a study in Russian scientific journals on the cancer epidemic in this region following the 1990s wars. "The cooperation will include the participation of Serb colleagues in educational programmes conducted at our Centre in Saint Petersburg, and we also hope for joint scientific projects," Moiseyenko said. Head of the Oncology Department at the University Hospital Foča Jelena Vladičić-Mašić stated that together with Russian oncologists they analyzed the major increase in cancer cases. "Prevention and early detection remain the best measures, but when that is not possible and patients come in advanced stages, the expertise of the oncology team becomes crucial. To improve our knowledge and expertise, meetings like these are extremely helpful," Vladičić-Mašić said. Director of the University Hospital Foča Nenad Lalović stated that the Russian guests and Foča oncologists held a joint medical consultation, discussing treatment methods for some of the most difficult cases. "We are especially pleased that Professor Moiseyenko agreed with the diagnoses and complete treatment plans for the most severe patients, which shows that our doctors follow global trends and that we have a long tradition and a serious oncology team," Lalović said. In addition to mutual staff exchanges, the cooperation agreement also envisages the possibility of video conferences whenever joint decisions are needed for specific cases.