DESP - Development and Testing of Efficient Screening and Prevention Programs

About the project:

The “DESP- Development and Testing of Efficient Screening and Prevention Programs” project addressed significant health disparities in Hungary and Romania, where health outcomes and life expectancy lag behind more developed EU countries. With cancer and cardiovascular diseases being the most prevalent causes of death, the project partners aimed to tackle these challenges by increasing investment in medical equipment and infrastructure. The key activities included expanding and renovating health centers, improving diagnostic and screening capacities, and making major investments in modern equipment.

Code: ROHU – 450

Financing programme: 2014 – 2020 INTERREG V-A Romania – Hungary

Implementation period: 1 August 2019- 31 December 2023

Budget: € 13,007,120.56

KEY OBJECTIVES

Mitigate the morbidity and mortality rates of cancer and circulatory diseases;
Increase the efficiency of screening and diagnosis to enable early detection and treatment;
Strengthen preventive healthcare and health awareness across the region;
Improve access to health and social services for vulnerable populations;
Develop and test a new, efficient screening and prevention programme.

THE PARTNERSHIP

Csongrád-Csanád County Health Care Center – Hódmezővásárhely-Makó – HU;

Association of Vincentian Sisters of Charity – RO.

KEY RESULTS

A new two-floor extension for the Internal Medicine and Paediatrics departments at CSMEK to meet increased demand from screenings;
Significant investment in modern equipment deployed across a total of 13 healthcare departments to allow for more efficient screening, diagnosis, and treatment;
Development of a joint monitoring and evaluation system to support future screening programmes;
Extension of screening to younger generations, including special therapies (e.g. DSGM – Dévény Special Manual Technique & Gymnastics Method, and PSMT – Planned Sensory Motor Therapies) for preterm babies;
Implementation of various screening programs, including the use of well-equipped mobile screening buses to reach rural areas;
Communication campaigns to improve health consciousness and promote lifestyle changes.