On Monday, January 15, a ceremonial tapping of the foundation stones for the Centre for Cancer Prevention and the Infrastructure for Innovative and Supportive Care buildings took place at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute in Žlutý Kopec, Brno, marking the 89th anniversary of its foundation. The investment to complete the two buildings on the hospital grounds and enhance cancer patient care will amount to CZK 1 billion, provided by the National Recovery Plan and the state budget.

"I see only positive aspects in the new buildings. It will allow us to relocate and expand our existing cancer prevention, genetics and patient education workplaces and create new space for supportive care and clinical research. The change in location will also help to improve the safety of our patients. Last but not least, the buildings will offer additional parking capacity. The location of the entrance to an institute of such importance and size in the area of Vaňek Square will add a new dimension and urban function to this place," says Marek Svoboda, Director of the MMCI.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala explains, "Throughout the modern history of the Czech Republic, oncology has been one of the priorities of Czech healthcare, and my government continues to publicly support it. Within the framework of the National Recovery Plan alone, approximately CZK 12 billion has been allocated for oncology. The institute's new centers will enable it to launch additional programs for cancer patients, as well as those aimed at more effective cancer prevention. The development of the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute is taking place simultaneously with the development of the entire national network of similar centers and screening programs."

Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek, under whose ministry the MMCI is a directly managed organization, says: "The Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute is a top centre with international overlap. It is the largest facility in terms of the number of adult patients with cancer primarily treated and the provision of preventive oncological care. Our goal is to support its further development as we recognize that the public's interest in expanded prevention programs and the need for supportive and innovative patient care will continue to grow."

"I am glad that a mutual agreement has been reached on the sale of the land of the former transfusion station, which was located here and will be replaced by the Centre for Cancer Prevention. The development of the MMCI is crucial for the region. Patients from all over the region are treated here and regional hospitals also have close cooperation with the institute," adds Jan Grolich, the Governor of the South Moravian Region.

For the Mayor of Brno, Markéta Vaňková, further construction within the MMCI is essential, and she adds: "Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute is an institution that gives Brno the best reputation both in our country and in the world. We are proud of him and have been cooperating on awareness campaigns for a long time."

"This symbolic gesture kicks off the implementation of one of the largest socially responsible projects, which, with the exception of VAT, is entirely financed by EU funds. Personally, I am always happy about the support that helps our healthcare, even more so if it goes to a top healthcare facility that is proud of the certification of a comprehensive cancer center of the Organization of European Cancer Institutes," says Marian Piecha, Deputy Minister of the EU Funds Section, at the tapping of the foundation stone itself Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Simon Oberst, the current Director of Quality and Accreditation of the Organization of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), who also held the position of Director of Clinical Development at one of the best European cancer institutes - Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, did not miss the tapping of stones. "MMCI has been a member of OECI for more than 40 years and is the only accredited cancer center of this organization in the country. In 2023, MMCI as only the second cancer institute in the Central and Eastern Europe, received the highest level of OECI designations - Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This is proof not only that cancer treatment is carried out here according to the highest quality standards, but the institute is also engaged in research, the results of which serve to achieve greater success in cancer care."

Construction for both buildings is already underway, with PKS stavby a.s. as the contractor for the Center for Cancer Prevention and Zlínstav a.s. for the Centre for Innovative and Supportive Care. Construction is planned until December 2025, and the following year, both new pavilions will open to the public.