Latvia, 2017-01-24 06:08 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starting from this spring, it will be possible to diagnose cancer (neuroendocrine tumours, prostatic gland tumours, metastatic bone cancer) at the Latvian Sea Medicine Centre using positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT), which are among the most precise examination methods.
LJMC has now started to install new equipment in the future Radiology centre, which will be one of the most up-to-date and innovative cancer diagnostics and therapy centres in the Eastern Europe. The total value of the equipment is EUR 1.4 M. In addition to that, a Radiopharmacy laboratory, which is unique in the Baltic States, has been created in co-operation with the Nuclear Medicine Clinic. This will improve the availability of oncologic examinations and medical services in Latvia and its neighbouring regions, as well as will enable the development of cooperation between private and public sector in providing medical services to population.
Jānis Birks, Chairman of the LJMC Board: “Unfortunately, the number of oncologic diseases shows an increasing trend worldwide and also in Latvia. In the last ten years significant achievements were made in therapy of oncologic diseases, yet today Latvia still lags behind not only on the European level, but also in the Baltics. Therefore, by investing significant resources in the Radiology Department, the Latvian Sea Medicine Centre wants to provide Latvians with the newest investigation methods enabling us to diagnose even tiny malignant tumours (~3mm) in case of a relapse or metastases.”
In Latvia, every year some 11 000 are diagnosed with cancer, and about 6 000 die of oncologic diseases. Every year due to high mortality rates Latvia loses approximately by 3.9% more able-bodied residents than the EU average, which proves the importance of cancer diagnostics and therapy. By implementing this project, LJMC will make a certain group of oncologic examinations financially more affordable for Latvians, and they will not have to travel to abroad for these examinations to be done.
The positron emission tomography and computer tomography (PET/CT) examinations will be much more precise than those which have been available in Latvia so far. They will enable early diagnostics, which is often crucial in combating malignant tumours.
The Radiopharmacy laboratory will be the first in the Baltic States to produce target pharmacons of gallium, thus ensuring diagnostics of certain classes of oncologic diseases using the PET/CT visualisation method. The analogue target pharmacons of lutetium will allow starting the treatment of patients who have been poor candidates for surgery so far, in co-operation with the Oncology Centre of the Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital.
Given the fact that today Latvia lacks specialists who have mastered these methods of diagnostics and therapy, cooperation has been started with the University of Latvia to provide students and academic staff with the possibility of mastering the world’s most up-to-date methods of diagnosing and treating cancer. One of the long-term goals of this cooperation is to introduce curricula for training specialists for this field in higher education institutions.
The project of the LJMC Radiology Department was developed by architect office Nams, the construction is performed by SIA Selva Būve. The partner in funding the medical equipment is SIA Nordea Finance Latvia. The total costs of the equipment is EUR 1.4 M, and those of building the LJMC Radiology Department amount to EUR 1.11 M.
Ivars Šmits, chairman of the Nordea Finance Latvia Board: “I am satisfied with the cooperation between Nordea Finance Latvia and the Latvian Sea Medicine Centre, and the possibility to make a contribution to the development of the oncology in Latvia by using lease financing of state-of-the art medical equipment. Nowadays when individualised treatment of oncology patients is developing worldwide, diagnosing a tumour as early and precisely as possible is very crucial. It enables to choose the most precise and effective treatment methods for each patient.
The Latvian Sea Medicine Centre (LJMC) is a private medical institution established in 1944 and providing a wide range of high quality medical services to the general public. LJMC comprises Sarkandaugava Outpatient Medical Care Centre and the Central Hospital, Vecmīlgrāvis Hospital and the Primary Healthcare Centre, as well as the Northern Diagnostics Centre.
The shares the Latvian Sea Medicine Centre are listed on Riga stock exchange.
Further information
Juris Imaks,
LJMC Board member
E-mail: Juris.Imaks@ljmc.lv
Mob. phone: +371 29512492
Facebook.com/LJmedicinascentrs
Member of the Board: Juris Imaks, phone: 29512492