Eastern Poland Medical Cluster

The foundation's role

The cluster brings together companies, universities, hospitals and health centres. The Zdrowe Miasto Foundation acts as its coordinator. The shared goal is to develop cooperation and exchange knowledge across the medical sector.

From the archive

A conference summarising the PROTECT MED project — an innovative solution for hospitals — was also held. The "Protect Med" project involved creating three technological solutions (unattended registration, a disinfecting robot and a mobile medical assistant) that help diagnose patients efficiently while protecting the staff of the medical facility. The project "PROTECT MED — developing innovative solutions to increase the safety of staff and patients in infectious disease and single-name hospitals", worth almost PLN 8.9 million, is financed by the National Centre for Research and Development under non-competitive projects — prevention and treatment: COVID-19. The conference was attended by, among others, Alicja Skindzielewska, director of the Ministry of the Interior hospital in Białystok, and Prof. Maciej Zajkowski of Białystok University of Technology.

On 14 October 2021, from 2 to 6 p.m., the Medical Cluster, in cooperation with Bayer and the Dr Michnowski Ophthalmology Centre, organised free eye tests at the Alfa shopping centre in Białystok. That day we marked World Sight Day. The theme of that year's edition was #LoveYourEyes. It is a global event intended to draw attention to blindness and visual impairment. The purpose of the day is to promote knowledge about sight defects and the importance of prevention, to raise public awareness in this area and to encourage governments to allocate funds to blindness prevention programmes.

On 10 July 2021, at the health resort in Augustów, the Zdrowe Miasto Foundation, as coordinator of the Medical Cluster and in cooperation with the National Health Fund, organised an event promoting the pilot programme "Prevention 40plus". The event ran from 12 noon to 6 p.m. and attracted great interest from resort patients as well as residents and holidaymakers. Those taking part had the opportunity to have their blood pressure measured free of charge, to have their BMI checked and to discuss their health concerns with doctors specialising in internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology and cardiology. A short outdoor training session was held, and everyone who wished could receive advice from a psychodietitian. It was also possible to obtain a European Health Insurance Card and dietary advice.

On 7 August 2021, on the boulevards in Supraśl, the Zdrowe Miasto Foundation, as coordinator of the Medical Cluster and in cooperation with the National Health Fund, once again organised an event promoting the pilot programme "Prevention 40 plus". Interest from residents and passers-by exceeded our boldest expectations. Events like this show that prevention programmes are needed and worth taking part in. The event ran from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and those taking part could consult an ophthalmologist, a dermatologist, an internist, a cardiologist and a physiotherapist. Basic tests were also carried out, including blood sugar, blood pressure and body composition measurements. Everyone attending could discuss their results and talk to a dietitian, as well as taste delicious healthy treats. During the Prevention 40 plus day it was possible to obtain a European Health Insurance Card and to learn that most important skill: giving first aid. It was also possible to help others by donating blood, to have a free mammogram and to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A short outdoor training session was also held with a professional personal trainer, who during the event gave advice on a healthy lifestyle and encouraged everyone to exercise daily.

On 29 August 2021 in Łomża, by the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, the Zdrowe Miasto Foundation, as coordinator of the Medical Cluster and in cooperation with the National Health Fund, organised for the third time an event promoting the pilot programme "Prevention 40 plus". The event ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and those taking part could consult a dietitian, an internist, a cardiologist and a dermatologist. It was also possible to have basic tests, including body composition analysis, blood sugar level, blood pressure measurement and examination of moles with a dermatoscope. Residents could discuss their concerns with a physiotherapist and have a basic eye test. As at previous events, it was possible to obtain a European Health Insurance Card, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to learn how to give first aid.

The outstanding athlete Maria Andrejczyk, who won a silver medal in the javelin at the Tokyo Olympics, encouraged the residents of Łomża to take part in the preventive examinations offered under the Prevention 40 PLUS programme. "I am here to encourage you to take care of your health. As a professional athlete I know very well how important health is, because it is the main determinant of sporting success. When that health is not there, I cannot even go to a competition, because I spend months going from doctor to doctor," said the champion. "Twice in my life I was diagnosed too late and twice I had to have surgery. I would like you to avoid something like that. We professional athletes are required to have regular check-ups every six months in every area, to keep our bodies under control. By monitoring our bodies we gain awareness of our own body and our own health, and thanks to that we can also take charge of our lives. Without health there is no joy in life," Maria Andrejczyk argued.

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the fourth most serious illness in the world and one of the main causes of suicide. This illness can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age or social status. It often develops over years, quietly and slowly taking away the joy of life. In the worst case it can lead to suicide, and it is the second most common cause of death among people aged 15–29.

Groups at high risk of illness:
- young people, adolescents, women in the perinatal period;
- older people;
- people who have experienced a depressive episode in their lives, people exposed to chronic life stress;

Preventing depression:
- Take care of healthy sleep;
- Take care of your relationships;
- Manage stress;
- Give yourself and others small pleasures;
- Be on good terms with yourself;
- Lead an active lifestyle.

On 19 February 2020, the Medical Cluster, in cooperation with the National Health Fund, organised an event about the fight against the illness of the 21st century — depression. At a special stand in the Alfa shopping centre it was possible to consult a therapist, to learn what dog-assisted therapy is, what dance therapy or dietary therapy looks like, and to have body composition measured. What is depression? It is a group of disorders with similar symptoms, both mental and physical, one of them being low mood and a prolonged feeling of sadness.

On 22 January 2020, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alfa shopping centre in Białystok, the event "Cervical Cancer Awareness Week" was promoted. The meeting aimed to present cervical cancer as an illness, to spread information about screening and to show the consequences of a lack of prevention.

Cervical cancer is one of the malignant tumours in women most "amenable to prevention".
The risk of illness rises with age until the end of the sixth decade of life. About 60% of cases occur between the ages of 45 and 64.
Each year cervical cancer is detected in about 3,000 women, and almost half of them lose the fight against it. What are the factors in the development of cervical cancer?
- Chronic infection with oncogenic types of human papillomavirus.
- Early onset of sexual activity.
- Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives. A large number of sexual partners.
- A large number of births.
- Many years of smoking.
- Low socioeconomic status and poorer access to medical care

A cytology test is an effective, painless and safe examination of cells from the cervix. It makes it possible to detect precancerous and cancerous conditions of the cervix at a time when there are no symptoms. It gives us a chance of detecting abnormalities very early.
To take a cytological smear, performed by a gynaecologist or a midwife, single-use equipment is used, that is a gynaecological speculum and a cytology brush.

On 13 November 2019, the Medical Cluster, in cooperation with the National Health Fund, organised the event "Wednesday with prevention. No sugar! We say it plainly — sugar kills". Diabetes is a disease of civilisation, and its complications — such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease — are killing ever younger people. It turns out that more than 30% of those affected in Poland are unaware of their illness for many years.

Anyone who visited the Alfa shopping centre on 13 November between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. could, entirely free of charge, have their blood sugar level checked, their blood pressure measured and their BMI calculated, talk to a dietitian and learn recipes for healthy and tasty snacks. Without doubt, prevention is better than cure…

On Saturday 18 July 2020, the Medical Cluster, in cooperation with the National Health Fund, organised the event "Active morning". Without doubt, any moment is a good one to take care of what we eat and to devote some time to movement and sport in the fresh air. The organisers of the picnic convinced residents that good habits are the best medicine for a long life. A training session for seniors and others, led by a physiotherapist, took place on site. It was also possible to take part in a yoga session for beginners and to obtain information on healthy eating. There was a tasting of protein snacks and non-fattening sweets. Everyone could have a body composition test and consult a dietitian, and learn new recipes for healthy and tasty dishes