In the recent years, Hungary and Romania have created a positive relationship marked by strengthened economic ties, growing trade, and thriving cultural exchanges. Their commitment to collaboration within the European Union reflects a shared vision for a harmonious and prosperous future, contributing to a more optimistic and constructive interaction between these neighboring nations. This article aims to illuminate one initiative that attests to innovative cross border cooperation in the field of healthcare, namely the cooperation between Hungary and Romania project called “Babies across borders”.

What

The Babies Across Borders project was designed to improve prevention and health care services in the Romanian-Hungarian cross-border region. It focuses on improving healthcare infrastructure and services, particularly in the fields of obstetrics-gynecology and neonatology. Key components include building new medical facilities, modernizing existing departments, replacing outdated medical equipment, and promoting knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals.

The project aims to achieve its objectives through a multi-faceted approach, including:

• Infrastructure Development: Construction of a new obstetrics-gynecology clinic in Timisoara and modernization of the obstetrics-gynecology department and installation of an electronic patient records system in Szeged.
• Medical Equipment: Procurement and installation of new medical equipment and furniture in both locations.
• Knowledge Exchange: Exchange of medical expertise and experiences between Romanian and Hungarian healthcare professionals to enhance their skills and develop common professional recommendations.
• Dissemination: Raising awareness among the population about the importance of access to preventive and treatment medical services through information dissemination based on the results of the experience exchange.

Who

The project is initiated and led by Timiș County Council and the Emergency Clinical County Hospital Pius Brinzeu Timisoara in Romania, and the University of Szeged in Hungary.

The primary beneficiaries are the residents of the Romania-Hungary cross-border area who are enjoying improved access to high-quality healthcare services. This includes women and babies in need of obstetrics-gynecology and neonatology care. Additionally, healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and staff, benefit from knowledge exchange and improved facilities.

How

The Babies Across Borders project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) at 85% of the total 13.8M€ budget.

Where

The project is primarily focused on the Romanian-Hungarian cross-border region, specifically in Timisoara, Romania, and Szeged, Hungary. 

Results:

The project's expected outcomes include:

• Improved healthcare infrastructure and facilities in Timisoara and Szeged, leading to better treatment results for women and babies.
• Enhanced medical expertise and knowledge among healthcare professionals through experience exchange.
• Increased accessibility to specialized healthcare services in the cross-border area.
• Informing the population and improving access to medical services.
• Overall reduction of health inequalities among the population in the obstetrics-gynecology and neonatology fields.

If you want to read more about the cooperation and the project click here