This initiative aims to introduce the safest, most modern method of respiratory support to be used to help newborns in neonatal wards across the country. This non-invasive method accounts for minor trauma to the young and frail breathing system. What is more, it is safe to use on even the tiniest newborns. We aim to provide medical staff with equipment that can replace traditional, invasive forms of treatment. Research shows that prematurely born babies struggle to breathe, so safe, non-invasive methods of support, which are safe to use on vulnerable babies, are vital in providing care and treatment.
In 2016 we introduced HFNC treatment. Vapotherm devices allow medical professionals to provide careful, precise, and effective care for some of the less severe cases of breathing problems. More importantly, the devices are lightweight and are not an obstacle to contact between the baby and mother.
We launched this medical initiative in 2003. We decided to provide neonatal clinics at public hospitals in Poland with equipment that can be used to provide non-invasive breathing support to newborns. Each hospital can apply to receive medical devices to be used in non-invasive breathing support. What is more, hospital administrators are obliged to provide us with medical data concerning the cases they treat.
Key numbers:
325 neonatal wards across the country received devices from the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation. We bought and donated the following equipment:
554 Infant Flow machines, including 166 incubators equipped with Infant Flow devices
119 high-flow nasal cannula machines
36 medical ventilators with AveaClio oxygen flow regulation
63 HFO oscillating ventilators
29 non-invasive breathing support machines
Nine neonatal ventilators
Overall, we have spent over PLN 56 million on equipment and running this initiative.
The digital PET-CT scanner is a device which allows highly accurate and detailed imaging of tumour foci in children bodies. This equipment purchased by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation for nearly PLN 16 mln is the most expensive machine in the history of the GOCC.
The cornerstone of our work is the effective coordination and constant communication between all our humanitarian aid points and the headquarters in Warsaw.
Our charity not only supplies medical devices to hospitals in Ukraine but also provides medical devices to hospitals in Poland, in particular to locations which treat patients escaping the war in Ukraine. Przemyśl, which is the town on the border between Poland and Ukraine has been struggling with the influx of patients since the beginning of the war.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity announced the result of the annual winter fundraiser. The charity raised 47 719 418,62 EUR (224 376 706,35 PLN) setting another fundraising record in Poland.
