Due to the complex clinical picture and the serious complications that patients with Cystic Fibrosis present, their treatment requires regular monitoring in organized Cystic Fibrosis Centers, where they are hospitalized and receive specialized medical care.
The Association contributes over time to the development of the C.I. Centres and clinics and actively supports their work, in constant cooperation with the responsible doctors and staff. The aim is to ensure better conditions of care and hospitalization for patients.
Adult CF Center of the General Hospital "Sismanoglio" Athens
Following the initiatives of the Association and in close collaboration with the hospital administration, the clinicians and the staff of the Center, the Association has actively contributed to the creation and development of the largest adult CF Center in Greece. The Center is located in Athens “Sismanoglio” hospital and monitors about the 80% of the adult CF patients in the country, more than 300 patients.
- In 2012, after information, constant pressure from the Association and cooperation with the hospital administration and the competent bodies, an independent ward for patients with C.I. was delivered with 11 wards, permanent nursing staff, secretariat, doctors’ offices, warehouse.
- The Association has gradually installed single-door small refrigerators and flat screen televisions in all the wards of the Unit following donations from individuals and companies. HCFA also placed stationary bicycles in the patients’ rooms to support their daily exercise needs.
- After the request of the Association, in 2013 the program of connecting the CF Center of Sismanoglio with the specialized Adult CF Center of Southampton Hospital in UK was launched, through funding from Child Health International (CHI). The aim of the connection is the continuous exchange and training of specialized staff in the disease (pulmonologists, nurses, physiotherapists, etc.) and the exchange of know-how between the two Centres. More info on the CHI website here and here.
- With the efforts of the Association, the position for the 2nd permanent pulmonologist, Attending Physician B at the Centre was advertised in 2021, while pressure was exerted for the placement of the new pulmonologist in her organic position.
The Association continues to support the CF Center for providing better care for to adult CF population.
Adult CF Center of the General Hospital "Papanikolaou" Thessaloniki
The second specialised adult CF Centre in Greece, is located in the Papanikolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki. He is monitoring more than 60 adult patients with Cystic Fibrosis from all over Northern Greece, from Evros to Epirus. The CF Centre indirectly has a positive impact on all adult patients, since the Centre decongests the CF Center of Sismanoglio Hospital, where the vast majority of the country’s patients are treated.
- Since 2013, the Association has made continuous interventions to the Ministry of Health and Greek authorities, achieving the official state recognition of the Intersectoral CF Centre of the University of Thessaloniki, to which the CF Center of Papanikolaou belongs.
- In 2017 the Association covered the salary costs of the part-time secretariat of the Centre. This particular intervention was attempted for the first time in the history of the CF Center, with the aim of directly improving the services provided to the adult CF patients being monitored.
- Through Child Health International’s project, which was initiated by the Association, to link up with the specialized Adult C.I. Unit of the Southampton Hospital in England, in 2019 the Centre’s pulmonologist was trained for 3 months in Southampton to take up the position of the Centre’s manager.
- From 2017 to date, the Association covers the costs of the telephone and internet in the patients rooms of the CF Centre, so that CF patients can have access and communication with relatives and friends during their IV therapies and hospitalization.
- In 2023, after continuous efforts of the Association in collaboration with members from Thessaloniki, the responsible pulmonologist of the Centre and the hospital’s administration, the recruitment of a second permanent pulmonologist with experience in Cystic Fibrosis for the Papanicolaou Hospital was announced.
The Association’s interventions continue so that the Centre can be further developed.
CF Center of Children Hospital "Aghia Sophia" Athens
The CF Center of Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital is the largest pediatric CF center in Greece, where more than 300 children are monitored.
Since its foundation in 1983, HCFA has supported the Center troughout the years. HCFA has made continuous interventions for the support of the Cener with clinicians and staff, as well as various donations to cover the Center’s equipment needs.
The Association continues to support any need that arises in constant collaboration with the clinicians of the Center.
CF Center for children of General Hospital "Hippokratio" Thessaloniki
It is the second organized CF Center for children in Greece, where more than 100 children with CF from Northern Greece are monitored.
With continuous interventions to the Ministry of Health, the Association managed to obtain the official recognition of the Intersectoral Cystic Fibrosis Centre of the University of Thessaloniki, to which the “Hippocrates” C.I. Centre of Thessaloniki belongs, while in 2023 the position for a second permanent paediatrician, Attending Physician B for the Centre was announced.
The Association actively supports and participates in every action of support and strengthening of the Center, through the excellent collaboration with the clinicians and staff.