Lek to help pediatric patients by buying a new respirator

The new respirator will provide continuous lung monitoring in critically ill children and enable prompt action to be taken without additional adverse events to their health, which so far has not been possible in Slovenia, and will make a substantial contribution to the treatment of children. By using this new device, the Maribor University Medical Center is also looking forward to gain a new momentum with scientific research at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Robert Ljoljo, President of Lek Management Board and Novartis Country President, said; “At Lek and Novartis, we strive to increase access to treatment and we consider conducting responsible business practice to be of essential importance and the cornerstones of our operations. Through research achievements and innovations, we create new and more accessible treatment options, while our mindset reflects the welfare of the wider community by driving a variety of programs and activities. A donation to the Maribor Pediatric Division and its team of committed and energized experts, who are dedicated to save the lives of our youngest patients on a daily basis, is a step in this direction. "

Assoc. Prof. Matjaž Vogrin, MD, PhD, Medical Director at the Maribor University Medical Centre: “The number 50,000 is just a number; however, in fact, this donation is invaluable to us. This donation means strengthening the chances in fighting for life and health of the most vulnerable patients at our institution, i.e., neonates and babies. Both the professional treatment and expanded scientific research will thus be improved. Therefore, we are very happy and grateful for this donation and for an optimistic outlook for the future from both perspectives."

Assist. Prof. Jernej Dolinšek, MD, PhD, Head of Division of Pediatrics a.i.: “Any donation is welcome, especially when it enables to purchase modern equipment that is comparable to the state-of-the-art medical centers in the world. Therefore, we are very pleased with the donation from Lek enabling us to do so. The Pediatrics Division of Maribor University Medical Center treats children from the northeast Slovenia and further afield and with the help of the newly purchased respirator, the treatment of these children will be at an even higher professional level."

When the donation was formally handed over to the Pediatrics Division, a special surprise was arranged for the children currently hospitalized at the hospital. Fisherman Pepe from the popular children’s TV show visited the children and depicted them as their own favorite superheroes. The young patients were very excited about the illustrations, which were drawing much admiration at the occasional exhibition at the Division of Pediatrics.