Clinic for Children’s Diseases receives a new MRI device

The Tesla 3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, valued at €1.93 million, was put into operation on Monday at the Zagreb Clinic for Children’s Diseases (Klaićeva), where guests were also presented with the structural renovation of one of the hospital’s buildings, which should be completed in May.

At the presentation the director of the Clinic for Children's Diseases, Dr. Goran Roić, expressing his hope that the new device will enable every pediatric patient in Croatia to receive this highly sophisticated examination in a timely manner. The clinic now has two MRI devices, having been working with a Tesla 1.5 MRI scanner up until now.

“It is very important to us because it shortens the recording time to a certain extent compared to 1.5 Tesla and is especially good for the nervous system as well as the musculoskeletal system. So, it is very good for displaying small details and that is a big advantage compared to 1.5 Tesla,” said Šimo Zirdum, a medical radiology engineer from the Department of Pediatric Radiology.

Dr. Roić added that: “About 37% of our patients come from outside of Croatia every day, so this is a significant event for the entire region as well.”

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Health Minister Vili Beroš, and Dutch Ambassador to Croatia Charlotte van Baak were also on hand for the ceremony.

Of the four hospital facilities in Klaićeva, three were severely damaged in the earthquake four years ago. The "Jovičić" facility has already been completely renovated, while the structural renovation of the Turina facility is in its final stage. The works are scheduled to be completed in May of this year. The total value of the renovation of the Turina building is €3.3 million.

“We spent €8.2 million in total renovations through EU funds and we have re-established most of the hospital's activities,” Dr. Roić noted.

Source: HRT