Elekta is improving the availability of cancer care for Russian patients by delivering clinical solutions, services and training to a number of key hospitals and cancer centers throughout Russia.
Elekta has won seven out of ten tenders being part of the new Russian National Oncology Program. The program was initiated under the auspices of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in early 2009 with the aim to improve prevention and early detection of cancer.
Currently, patients in Russia are diagnosed with cancer mostly at stages III and IV, negatively affecting the survival rate and with expensive medical and drug treatment required. The program is considered an important step by the Russian Government to increase the life span for the Russian people.
“By 2012, the situation must be changed so that identification and treatment of cancer patients will already happen at stages I and II of the disease”, said the Russian Minister of Health, Tatiana Golikova at the presentation of the program.
As part of the program, Elekta will deliver four Elekta Synergy®, two Precise Treatment System™ and one Elekta Axesse™ to hospitals and cancer centers throughout the country. Engineers and medical physicists from Elekta and its Russian distributor MSM-Medimpex will provide training for all medical staff as well as services.
In addition, two other key centers in Russia recently purchased two Elekta Axesse™ for their stereotactic program.
“We are proud to be a part of the expansion of cancer care in Russia, and in making the latest clinical treatment solutions available to more patients throughout the country”, says Olof Sandén, Executive Vice President for Elekta Europe, Africa, Latin America and Middle East.
Elekta is continuing to execute on its plan for geographical expansion in key emerging markets, where Russia is one of several geographical areas with a large unmet need for cancer care.
”We have created a new structure and strategies supporting our focus on emerging markets where a large number of patients can benefit from life-saving technologies at an affordable cost per patient”, says Mr. Sandén.