Slovakia: Developing the National Rehabilitation Centre for PwMS
Slovakia: Developing the National Rehabilitation Centre for PwMS
Juliana Ilencikova, Slovakian Multiple Sclerosis Union member
The Slovakian Multiple Sclerosis Union (SMSU) fights for the rights of PwMS in Slovakia. The Union values rehabilitation and, between 2002 and 2006, was working with various other organisations – such as the EMSP, MSIF, foreign MS Societies and Parliaments in the European Union – to gather relevant information to improve rehabilitation services for Slovakian PwMS.
Thanks to this collaborative effort, Slovakia’s National Rehabilitation Centre for PwMS (NCMS) was officially registered in September 2008 according to European recommendations for rehabilitation services for PwMS. The building (a vacant former school) was secured for this purpose in 2006 and plans for its transformation began shortly afterward, with the enthusiasm and motivation of the SMSU members and supporters.
The Union and MS Club Presov raised EUR 31 000 for the project documentation of the centre and 9 000 EUR for partly reconstruction of the building with the help of private donors, sponsors, donations from NGOs and support from the State. In addition, the Union hosted a range of special events across the country including: art expositions in Prešov, Rožňava, Stará Ľubovňa; sports and games days in the MS Club in Presov and Sabinov; a “Grease Melting Party” in Kokošovce; Christmas markets in Prešov; MS Walks in Prešov; and two World MS Days (2009 and 2010) for which the Slovakian Gass trust established a donation matching programme.
When the project is complete, the Centre will fully accessible for physically handicapped people; it will be equipped with 30 in-patient rooms, 3 elevators, a parking area, and social and out-patient services. Up to 3 740 people per year, approximately half of the total number of PwMS in Slovakia, will be able to receive treatment through its four services:
Daily Stationary for PwMS and others (10 clients per month)
Respite Care Centre (60 clients per month)
Rehabilitation Treatment (10 clients per month)
House of Social Services for Long-Term Residents with PwMS (5 residents)
Since its registration, project plans for the Centre have developed quickly with the aim of better serving PwMS and their families upon its completion. The Centre’s services will include: hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and fitness/kinesitherapy; a cryochamber and local cryotherapy; an exercise room and a multi-levelled spill pool with massage bench; and an infrasauna, a steam dry sauna and a hydromassage bath tub, classical massage. There will also be a heating plant, a storage room and an area for wheelchair service and maintenance. Creative workshops such as art therapy, music therapy, ergotherapy and an internet centre will allow for and encourage expression. The SMSU is also looking into using solar heating in the Centre.
Eventually, the SMSU hopes to decentralise the MS Rehabilitation centre, thereby opening the facility to a larger group of clients. New and unique therapies and programmes will be offered including:
a training park; hypotherapy and canistherapy; a protected working place for PwMS and other healthy impaired persons; a kindergarten co-operative; and an information centre and educational programme for PwMS, family members, employers and the general public. The Centre will also offer reconditioning stays for groups of PwMS, and organise international volunteer programmes and MS youth exchanges. To create a sense of community, lodging will be created by building rental apartments in nearby houses and walking paths will be installed beyond perimeters of the NCSM.
The dream for the NCMS is definitely taking shape, but there is much work still to be done. The NCSM needs EUR 1 700 /the rest for project documentation/ as well as 5% of the required total of EUR 2.5 million in the NCSM bank account before it can apply for Eurofunds needed to move forward. New law passed in 2008 creates possibility for establishing “specialised centres, ” but the Ministry of work, social work, and family issues Eurofund calls for “houses of social services”, not for “specialised centres, ” Further obstacles for the progress of the Centre: Ministry of health only supports health organisations, not social ones. In this case, the NCSM is considered a social centre and so does not qualify for this funding.
As yet, the SMSU does not have the support of the government in developing the NCSM; thus, we continue to rely on strong support from individuals, businesses and NGOs. The NCSM is also looking to create international partnerships with MS organisations and to establish a non-profit MS foundation. The SMSU aims to further develop the NCSM as a modern central research and rehabilitation institution in co-operation with pharmaceutical firms, universities, EMSP and MSIF.
FUNDRAISING AT LOCAL, REGIONAL… picture
PRIVATE DONORS
– Swiss Pharmaceutical companies: Merck Serono, Biogen Idec,
– Slovakian Pharma comp. Richter Gedeon,
– Slovakian MS Clubs, Rimo Catholic Church in Raslavice, private persons,
NGOs
EMSP, Slovakian assotiation of healthy impaired persons Hermanovce, schools
STATE SUPPORT
– General collection – NCSM received state permition to issue announcements in newspapers to send money to the NCSM account
– 2% of taxes of employed persons have been sent to NCSM account
– Grant of NEFO Foundation of Presov Autonomy region