Children's cancer ward in Katowice resumes work after parents' protests

The children's oncology ward at the Upper Silesian Child Health Centre (Gornoslaskie Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka) in Katowice, closed three and a half months ago, is reopening. The decision followed numerous protests by parents of young patients. Children will be admitted from Thursday.

The new ward will provide paediatric oncology and haematology services within hospital care and chemotherapy, but for now only on a one-day basis: a child can receive chemotherapy and other necessary procedures within a day and go home. Longer hospital stays will not be available for now.

The centre hopes to expand its services in the future, but some tenders by the National Health Fund (NFZ) have not yet been decided. Families are asked to contact the centre before travelling to Katowice, to avoid situations where admission is impossible because of limited beds or the specifics of treatment.