In Lviv, the team of the Olena Zelenska Foundation and Lord Ashcroft established the upgraded bacteriological laboratory at the Children’s Medicine Clinical Center in Lviv city

The opening ceremony was attended by the First Lady, the founder of Olena Zelenska Foundation, and Lord Ashcroft, who became the project’s donor.

Today, the Children’s Medicine Clinical Center is one of the few in Ukraine where children receive bone marrow and kidney transplants. It is also among the most powerful in pediatric oncology and hematology, organ transplantation, and children’s orphan diseases.

More than 20 thousand children from all over Ukraine receive inpatient treatment here annually. Thus, the modernization of the bacteriological laboratory became critical for ensuring high-quality medical services, effective infection control, and the safety of patients and medical staff.

Olena Zelenska Foundation performed significant repairs in the bacteriological laboratory’s premises (replaced the engineering lines, carried out redevelopments, etc.) and purchased the necessary medical equipment and furniture. This equipment included a modern laboratory microscope, laminar flow unit, low-temperature freezer, laboratory refrigerator, etc. 

“When the Foundation’s team and I learned about this laboratory and its critical condition, we set out to upgrade it. After all, timely and efficient diagnostics for the patients of the Center is vital. The Foundation implements all the projects with the help of Ukraine’s friends – foreign patrons. The laboratory gained its patron in Lord Ashcroft, a Lord from Great Britain, a businessman, and, most importantly, a caring person ready to make life better with us. And in this case, to literally save the children’s lives,” said Olena Zelenska, a founder of the Foundation, noted.

The project was implemented thanks to $200 thousand charitable contribution provided by Lord Ashcroft.

“I am equally delighted that part of my donation to the Olena Zelenska Foundation is being used to support such a worthwhile cause. I share the First Lady’s belief that Ukrainian children are the innocent victims of this terrible war and that we must do all we can to support them, particularly those with health problems. The work carried out at the medical centre is much needed and hugely impressive. As we look to the future, I am delighted to be considered both a friend of Ukraine and a partner of the Foundation. I will continue to do all I can to support and champion the charitable work of the First Lady in the months and years ahead,” said Lord Ashcroft, a donor to the Foundation’s project, said. 

Thanks to the upgraded laboratory and new equipment, research can now be conducted at the highest international level. 


“Thanks to our reliable partner, Lord Ashcroft, we implemented a project to upgrade the laboratory within five months completely. It was essential to do it quickly; we are sincerely glad we succeeded. Now, doctors and laboratory assistants will work in comfortable conditions and with modern medical equipment. The laboratory will soon be accredited to the international ISO standard. This means that the laboratory will meet all the modern requirements,” commented Nina Horbachova, Head of Olena Zelenska Foundation, noted.
 
The upgraded laboratory will significantly automate and improve the examination process of children, including seriously ill children.



"To successfully treat the most severe diseases, it is crucial to minimize the risk of infections. The upgraded bacteriological laboratory not only enhances the level of infection control but also allows for faster and more accurate detection of any health threats. This means more lives saved and more effective treatment," said Roman Kizyma, Acting Director General of the Children's Medical Clinical Center.

The new bacteriological laboratory will be able to examine about 18 thousand children annually.

"Thanks to this project, we will be able to provide even more precise and rapid diagnostic services, which is extremely important for young patients. We have received not just renovated facilities, but a new standard of diagnostics and a safety foundation for all medical processes: from treating critically ill children to performing transplants," emphasized Romana Kosaniak, Head of the modernized laboratory.