WE CULTIVATE THE IMAGE OF A MODERN EUROPEAN HOSPITAL, WE REMAIN DEDICATED TO IMPROVING PATIENT’S SERVICES AND INVESTMENT IN STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT

The first “hybrid” angiography room is expected to be installed and put into operation at Acibadem Sistina Hospital at the beginning of the year. The most complex vascular interventions on various blood vessels are going to be performed there, says in an interview for “Factor” Prof. Dr. Igor Kaftandziev, the new medical director of the hospital. This room could be used for neurosurgical interventions, as well as for various interventions in spinal surgery that, as Kaftandziev says, will definitely make it the only one of its kind in the country and the region. In addition, we talked with Kaftandziev about other plans and new investments that this hospital is planning for the new year. He says that the process of investing in modern technology and staff never stops, and “Acibadem Sistina” develops an image of the best and a European hospital in the region.

Recently you have took the management of Acibadem Sistina Hospital as a medical director, what kind of challenge is it for you?

Kaftandziev: If one sentence could be used to describe Acibadem Sistina Hospital, I would emphasize that today it is a modern medical institution at the European level providing a wide range of medical services, starting from the most modern diagnostic procedures up to the relevant therapeutic treatment performed by an expert and dedicated medical staff so duly it could be pointed out that today it represents a medical brand in the country.

“Acibadem Sistina” is a leader in the region in the area of private healthcare and it offers services at the European level. You have already announced some novelties, what benefits do the citizens have?

Kaftandziev: In short, although it is already well known to the public, Acibadem Sistina Hospital is a private healthcare institution and member of the “Acibadem” group from Turkey, constantly investing in the most advanced medical equipment, but also in professional training of its medical staff with a purpose to apply modern medical diagnostic therapeutic procedures, and making all of it available to the state healthcare system; that way its social responsibility and significance are confirmed, and undoubtedly these are benefits that should be recognized. Quality of the medical services obtained at the hospital is constantly checked and proven by meeting international standards, such as ISO (MKC EN ISO 15189:2013) for diagnostic laboratories and the upcoming JSI (Joint Commission International) re-accreditation of the hospital.

What are the key points and projects that you will focus on next year, especially in the area of services, equipment and personnel?

Kaftandziev: We plan to expand the interventional radiology activities, introducing minimally invasive vascular and non-vascular interventional procedures. It will be possible by using sophisticated angiography equipment in the country that will enable performing complex vascular interventions, such as blood vessel stenting, tumor embolization, aneurysm embolization in the brain and other parts of the body, applying the most modern devices to the brain blood vessels. At the same time, this device will supplement the already existing range of interventional cardiology procedures. Interventions in the field of interventional oncology, such as chemoembolization and radiofrequency and microwave ablation of tumors have been performed with great success so far, while cryoablation and irreversible electroporation are expected to be practiced during this year.

The country has been facing a shortage of young and professional staff for a long time, and there is a process of mobilizing experts abroad. What is your focus, you have already announced some education projects?

Kaftandziev: Emphasis in the future will have to be placed on presenting the current activities at the hospital, and using the previous experience, to make a professional presentation of it, including the possibility of active participation at seminars, symposiums and congresses, as well as publication of papers in medical journals. Hence the professional public from various medical fields will be presented the level of medical services at the hospital, and at the same time it will mean professional promotion of the hospital, but also its recognition as a center of supreme medicine in the country and beyond.