If the word cancer This causes panic among those dealing with their diagnosis, as well as their families and friends; alarms and fear are triggered when it comes to a brain tumor. And glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive. He … advisor to Health, Presidency and Emergencies of the Council, Antonio Sanz, advanced to “ABC of Seville” that “in recent weeks we have taken a very important step in the fight against this phenomenon, since Andalusia has already activated the incorporation of alternative electric field therapy, known as TTF fields, to the complementary portfolio of the SAndalusian Health Service (SAS)“.
“This is an innovative technology that uses external devices to stop or slow tumor growth and significantly improves patient survival and quality of life; It is estimated that in Andalusia around 50 to 60 people will benefit each year. Until now, standard treatment included surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy; With this decision, we are taking a new step forward,” said the advisor in statements to this newspaper.
Sanz adds that “we have defined the reference centers, activated the clinical circuit and guaranteed public funding for their use.”
This therapy will begin to be applied in hospitals with specialized units in neurosurgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology and rehabilitation, including Virgen del Rocío and Macarena de SevilleQueen Sofia of Cordobathe Regional of Malagathe sea gate of Cadizthe Torrecardenas of Almeriathe Snow Maiden of Grenadethat of Jaén and Juan Ramón Jiménez of Huelva.
For the head of Health, the Presidency and Emergencies, “we thus guarantee fairness, the homogeneity of clinical criteria and maximum safety for our patients”. “The most important thing is that Andalusia guarantees real access to this therapy without unjustified expectations: we have established an agile decision model in less than ten days from clinical request, clear inclusion criteria based on evidence, informed consent and specific monitoring through an anonymized patient registry.
“Andalusia integrates useful innovation where it is most needed”
Antonio Sanz
Minister of Health, the Presidency and Emergencies
“This decision reflects a clear message: Andalusia integrates useful innovation where it is most needed. We are talking about individuals, families and patients whose diagnoses demand rapid answers and cutting-edge solutions,” he explains. Antonio Sanzwhich adds that “TTFields will be a reality in our public health, with guaranteed funding, trained teams and a firm commitment from this Ministry: putting innovation at the service of those who need it most”.
On the other hand, Sanz suggests that his department will devote 3.3 million euros to carry out 34 R&D&I projects in Health of 2025 thanks to the competitive call for research grants in biomedical sciences and health sciences.
Grants
This is stated in the resolution of the General Secretariat for Research, Innovation and Digital health which awards grants in three types of projects. “One of them is aimed at research projects in general health, another at research projects in primary care, regional hospitals and CHARE (high resolution hospital centers) and another in research and innovation projects in public-private collaboration,” explains Antonio Sanz.
Of the total amount granted, two million euros are allocated to finance 17 studies whose objective is the generation or acquisition of knowledge in the field of Health Sciences general themes, in which researchers from one or more research or innovation groups participate. The maximum duration of these studies is three years and up to 133,100 euros have been granted for the projects having obtained the most funding.
By specialties
To the specialty of Primary careregional hospitals and “CHARE”, 350,000 euros are allocated to finance thirteen projects, lasting a maximum of three years. The amount subsidized for each project varies from 12,135 to 48,400 euros.
Regarding the modality public-private, One million euros was allocated to four projects to finance work aimed at generating or acquiring knowledge in the areas of health, but with the participation of private entities in the execution and financing. The maximum duration is also three years, with the project having obtained the most funding amounting to 479,547 euros. To the amount subsidized in this modality is added the contribution of the private entity, which was at least of an amount equal to the amount subsidized.
In the context of general projects, this is the Foundation for Biosanitary Research of Eastern Andalusia (FIBAO) is the entity that has carried out the most projects with six, followed by the Foundation for Health Research Management of Seville (FISEVI) with five. Then, the Andalusian Public Foundation for Research in Biomedicine and Health of Malaga (FIMABIS), with four projects, and finally the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (FIBICO), with two projects.
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