President Visits Princess Maxima Centre that Treats Children with Cancer

Utrecht/Bratislava, December 2 (TASR-correspondent) - President Peter Pellegrini visited the Princess Maxima Centre in Utrecht as part of his one-day visit to the Netherlands on Monday, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent. It is one of the leading European scientific centres for research and treatment of children's oncological diseases. The facility has been developing long-term cooperation with the National Institute of Children's Diseases (NUDCH) in Bratislava. Pellegrini said that he is proud that the Slovak institute has been cooperating with this top Dutch facility. He would be glad if a similar top-quality centre was built in Slovakia as well and he's determined to do his utmost to support its construction. "Slovak children who are being treated for cancer, as well as doctors who work here, deserve a new place and the environment at the level of the 21st century. Therefore, we want to get inspired by this centre in Utrecht," said the Slovak president. Pellegrini is accompanied on his trip to the Netherlands by Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD), NUDCH director Peter Barton, as well as other experts. Their role is to explore possibilities for transferring know-how and partly the whole project of the centre to Slovakia. According to the president, the Investment Fund and Dutch banks would be able to cover a part of the construction. Pellegrini handed over gifts to the centre, such as children's cosmetics, toys and board games for children. NUDCH signed a memorandum with the Princess Maxima Centre during last year's visit of the Dutch royal couple to Slovakia. The Dutch centre also admits patients from Slovakia for complicated treatment that is impossible in Slovak conditions. ko/mcs