Launch of a new Neonatal Screening Centre at the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital

In 2022, Way of Hears Foundation began working with the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialised Hospital – a unique medical facility that saves hundreds of children’s lives every day by performing specialised operations and providing treatment. Every doctor who saves lives is a hero, but paediatricians stand out in particular – after all, they are literally saving our future.

The first phase of our collaboration was to support the launch of the new Neonatal Screening Centre, which opened on 1 November 2022. Its aim is the effective early diagnosis of rare diseases in children from the very first days of life. The launch took place as part of the President of Ukraine’s programme, with the support of the Ministry of Health and the charitable contribution of the fintech company bill_line, a participant in the “Path of Hearts” foundation.

Why this matters

According to Nataliia Olkhovych, head of the medical genetics laboratory at “OKHMATDYT”, Ukraine lags behind not in the quality of treatment for orphan diseases, but in the speed of their detection. For example, such diagnostics in the EU are carried out within 1–3 days, whereas in Ukraine the procedure sometimes drags on for 2–3 weeks.

In 2022, the Okhmatdyt Hospital undertook a tremendous amount of work to reduce this timeframe, which will literally save hundreds of lives. This goal was achieved thanks to the President and caring benefactors.

How the centre works

Blood samples are taken within the first two days of a baby’s life and sent for testing. Most rare orphan diseases need to be detected within the first 10 days of life – such prompt action can ensure the most effective and rapid treatment. The launch of the new centre makes this possible.

Previously, all newborns were screened free of charge for four hereditary conditions: hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, adrenogenital syndrome and cystic fibrosis. New centre will expand screening to 21 rare diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, galactosaemia, phenylketonuria and others. Previously such advanced testing could only be carried out in private hospitals at quite high commercial rates. Now it’s available to all new parents.

How the foundation helped

Way of Hearts Foundation took on the organisation of the launch of the Neonatal Screening Centre in Kyiv (as part of the President of Ukraine’s program with total four regional and expert centres).

The Foundation ensured the complete refurbishment of all the premises of the new Centre in accordance with all the requirements and standards of the Okhmatdyt Hospital.