The healthcare establishment which won this year’s first prize in the European Private Hospitalization Awards in this category is:
Regina Maria – The Private Healthcare Network, Romania
for its Screening Saves Lives project
The ”Screening Saves Lives” program represents a pivotal initiative providing tailored preventive screenings to employees throughout Romania. It aims to combat the prevalent issue of low prioritization of prevention measures and the absence of robust national screening programs.
Objectives:
- Increase access to preventive screenings: by offering personalized screenings, the program seeks to make preventive healthcare more accessible to individuals across Romania.
- Detect diseases early for improved treatment outcomes: early detection of health issues enables timely intervention and better treatment outcomes, ultimately enhancing the overall health and wellbeing of participants.
- Raise awareness about the importance of prevention: through education and outreach initiatives, the program endeavors to increase public awareness about the significance of preventive healthcare measures in maintaining optimal health.
Targeted Health Issues:
- Common diseases: the program addresses a wide range of common health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory conditions.
- Various cancers: recognizing the importance of early detection in combating cancer, the program focuses on screening for various types of cancer, including thyroid, breast, colorectal, and others. Early detection plays a crucial role in improving treatment outcomes and increasing the chances of successful recovery.
Specific strategies or interventions used in the prevention program
- Workplace screenings: the program conducts screenings directly at workplaces, making it convenient for employees to undergo preventive health checks without having to leave their work environment. This approach increases accessibility and encourages greater participation in the screening program.
- Mobile medical caravan designed for areas with less developed medical infrastructure: recognizing the difficulties individuals face in accessing healthcare services in regions with limited medical infrastructure, our program utilizes mobile medical caravans equipped with necessary screening tools and medical personnel. We aim to reach people swiftly and efficiently in smaller towns where medical facilities may be less advanced.
- Screenings at Regina Maria clinics/hospitals or partner facilities: we offered screenings not only at our own Regina Maria clinics or hospitals, but also at partner facilities within our network, thus providing broader coverage.
- Diverse screenings for different health concerns: the program offers a comprehensive range of screenings tailored to address various health concerns. These screenings may include assessments for cardiovascular health, diabetes risk, cancer screenings (such as breast, cervical, colorectal), and other relevant health parameters based on individual risk factors and needs.
- Educational campaigns about prevention and screening benefits: in addition to providing screenings, the program conducts educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and the benefits of participating in screening programs. These campaigns aim to empower individuals with knowledge about preventive measures they can take to maintain their health and encourage them to prioritize regular screenings for early detection and intervention.
We established strategic partnerships with companies to expand the reach of the program and increase participation rates among employees. Through these collaborations, the program is able to offer screenings directly at workplace settings, making it convenient for employees to access preventive healthcare services without having to travel to a medical facility. By leveraging the existing infrastructure and communication channels of partner companies, the program effectively reaches a large workforce and promotes the importance of regular screenings for early detection and prevention of health issues.
Social and CSR campaigns in rural and disadvantaged areas. We implemented CSR campaigns in rural and disadvantaged areas to raise awareness about the program and encourage participation from underserved communities. These efforts aim to bridge the gap in access to healthcare services and empower individuals in rural and disadvantaged areas to take proactive steps towards better health outcomes.
Other methods used:
Workshop and webinars, online especially for educational and informational purposes to reach a large number of companies and employees. The program conducts workshops and webinars, primarily online, to provide educational sessions and disseminate information about the importance of preventive screenings and the benefits of early detection. These online sessions are designed to reach a wide audience of companies and their employees, making it convenient for individuals to participate from any location with internet access. By leveraging digital platforms, the program maximizes its outreach efforts and ensures that valuable health information is accessible to as many people as possible. We conduct research with medical teams based on national and international medical guidelines. We gather up-to-date information from statistical data, medical reports, and medical guidelines to ensure that we incorporate the latest advancements and best practices in prevention and screening initiatives.
