Philips and the Philips Foundation, in cooperation with the Polish Red Cross (PCK), donated a professional ultrasound machine to the hospital in Głuchołazy.

Philips and the Philips Foundation, in collaboration with the Polish Red Cross (PCK), provided a professional ultrasound machine to the hospital in Głuchołazy, which will serve the local residents. The equipment, donated as part of the #odNOWAzPCK program, will help the facility restore its full functionality after the damage caused by the flood and improve patient access to specialized diagnostics.

In September 2024, Głuchołazy experienced one of the most tragic floods in its history. Water from the Biała Głuchołaska flooded a significant part of the city, causing enormous damage to the city's infrastructure. Losses were estimated at around 250 million zlotys. Among the facilities affected was the Independent Public Healthcare Institution Health Care Team in Głuchołazy.

Hospital rooms were flooded, resulting in damage to medical equipment and the facility's infrastructure. These damages significantly affected the ability to provide medical services to the local community, increasing the need for quick rebuilding and equipping the hospital with necessary equipment.

“The flood in Głuchołazy deprived residents of access to an adequate level of healthcare in an instant. At Philips, we strive every day to improve people's health and quality of life, which is why we are pleased that our equipment will be part of the reconstruction of the medical infrastructure in the city. Innovative diagnostic solutions are crucial for patient treatment outcomes while also supporting the working conditions of medical staff,” says Michał Grzybowski, President of Philips Polska Sp. z o.o.

From now on, modern, high-resolution ultrasound examinations will be available to the residents of Głuchołazy and the surrounding area, enabling healthcare workers to detect diseases with greater accuracy and speed. In situations where early and precise diagnosis is crucial, such technology can help in the rapid identification of conditions. By improving access to precise imaging, the donated machine supports doctors in making clinical decisions, which can be particularly significant in complex or urgent cases.

The provided ultrasound machine is a tremendous support for our hospital and, above all, for the patients. Thanks to modern technology, we can diagnose conditions faster and more accurately, allowing for earlier implementation of effective treatment. After the damage caused by the flood, every initiative supporting the reconstruction of our facility is extremely valuable. We are grateful for this assistance, which will significantly raise the quality of medical care in our region,” says Paulina Firlej-Ptak, acting Director of the Hospital in Głuchołazy.

As part of the #odNOWAzPCK program, carried out in the Lower Silesian, Opole, Silesian, and Lubusz voivodeships, the Polish Red Cross reaches out to the most needy, who are often helpless in the face of tragedy. PCK branches cooperate with local authorities to thoroughly assess needs and qualify for the program those who find themselves in difficult situations.

The program aims to restore independence to flood-affected families and equip public utility facilities, such as schools, kindergartens, and orphanages.

#odNOWAzPCK includes financial and material assistance – affected families receive funds for rebuilding their homes and for repairs in the form of vouchers or prepaid cards, which they can spend on purchasing furniture, household appliances, or building materials. These funds can also be used for ongoing maintenance, which often becomes a challenge after losing a home and job.

PCK also allocates funds for equipping public utility facilities such as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and social welfare homes, responding to specific needs reported by institutions. A key element of the program is also psychological support, as rebuilding involves not only infrastructure but also a sense of security and stability. In addition to immediate assistance, PCK organizes camps and Green Schools for children, and rehabilitation retreats for seniors, to support them in returning to normal life.

The Polish Red Cross analyzes the situation in towns affected by tragedy, responds to specific requests for help, effectively connects medical facilities, institutions, and local communities with business and social partners. As a result, aid is not only fast but, importantly, well thought out and effective. PCK constantly promotes the principle of 'smart helping' – actions should not be short-term but long-lasting, proportionate to needs, and realistically contributing to the rebuilding of normal life in disaster-affected communities.

“Thanks to cooperation with partners such as Philips and the Philips Foundation, we can effectively support medical facilities in rebuilding after natural disasters. The donation of a modern ultrasound system to the hospital in Głuchołazy is a step towards restoring the full functionality of this facility and ensuring residents of the region have access to high-quality medical care.” assures Michał Mikołajczyk, member of the Main Board of the Polish Red Cross.

The Philips Foundation, dedicated to ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for communities around the world, actively engages in initiatives supporting medical facilities in difficult situations. Through collaboration with the Polish Red Cross, the Philips Foundation contributed to equipping the hospital in Głuchołazy, which will improve the quality of medical services provided and accelerate the process of rebuilding the facility after the damages caused by the flood.