CROWN PRINCESS KATHERINE FOUNDATION OPENS FIRST OPERATING UNIT FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Belgrade, 9 December, 2008 – The Crown Princess Katherine Foundation officially opened the first operating unit for Congenital Heart Disease at University Children’s Hospital in Tirsova.

This important project was initiated by Prof. Dr. Afksendios Kalangos, Head of Cardiovascular surgery at the University Hospital in Geneva and a great friend of Princess Katherine, in cooperation with the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of the Clinical Centre of Serbia and University Children’s Clinic in Tirsova.

This will be a unique department in our country, in which both children and adults with congenital heart disease will be operated.

Due to the fact that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine attended the funeral of His Holiness the Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia in Moscow, they were not able to be present at the opening. Their Royal Highnesses were represented at the opening by Mrs. Alison Andrews, daughter of Princess Katherine. On behalf of Princess Katherine, a letter was read by Prof. Dr. Ida Jovanovic, Director of Paediatric Department at University Children’s Hospital. In the letter the Crown Princess emphasized: “I would like to thank everyone involved in this important project and to point out that I am very pleased that all parties involved recognize the importance of this endeavor.

Serbia will now have its first operating Unit for Congenital Heart Disease for children and adults will give patients new hope and better conditions for recovery, and doctors a new challenge, as well as a the possibility to develop their knowledge and practical skills in dealing with this heart condition”. As a part of the opening ceremony speeches were delivered by HE Prof. Dr. Tomica Milosavljevic, Minister of Health of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Afksendios Kalango, head of Cardio-surgery at the University Hospital in Geneva, Doc. Dr. Milan Djukic, Director of University Children’s Hospital and Dr. Slobodan Ilic, Head of Cardio surgery at University Children’s Hospital.

This project was conceived with the generous help from friends of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, Mr. Alexander Niklan and the Foundation of Prof. Dr. Kalangos “Hearts for All”, as well as from the Republic Fund for Health Insurance. A part of the intensive care unit and day hospital were reconstructed, built and equipped with the most modern beds and medical equipment for post-operative treatment of congenital heart disease. Prof. Dr. Afksendios Kalangos, who apart from little Dejana has saved more than 15 young lives in Serbia, and for his contribution received a prestigious award from RTV Studio B, „Belgrader of the Year“. During this visit, he will once again operate, this time on two children and two adults with congenital heart disease.