NMIC of Radiology signed a Memorandum on the creation of the first ion therapy center in Russia

On September 5, the signing ceremony of the Russian-Japanese Memorandum of Understanding on the creation of the first IO center in Russia took place at the Healthy Society business space within the framework of the Eastern Economic Forum (WEF) -2019?intensive therapy.

The document was signed by Andrey Dmitrievich Kaprin, Director General of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Andrey Nikolaevich Efanov, Director of Planning and Business Development of International Medical Consulting Company LLC, and General Director of Medical Tourism Japan Campaign Limited/ Ship Healthcare Group (Medical Tourism Japan Co.,Ltd/ Ship Healthcare Group) Mr. Katsuya Sakagami. The ceremony was held in the presence of honored guests: Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Oleg Olegovich Salagai, Director of the representative office of the Hokkaido Governorate on Sakhalin – Mr. Sato Tomoyuki.

Russia’s first clinical center for the treatment of oncological diseases with heavy carbon ions will be built on the basis of the National Medical Research Center for Radiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia in Obninsk.

A unique method of super-precision treatment of cancer patients with a carbon ion beam was first developed in Japan. Its essence lies in the fact that the effect on the tumor is super-negative, without damaging healthy tissues and organs. According to Japanese experts, tumor treatment is sometimes carried out even in one session. This method is suitable for the treatment of almost all localizations. It is important to emphasize that this type of therapy is also used, including for those patients whose ESR practically does not respond to standard radiation and proton exposure. And there are about 25% of such cases. Therefore, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of creating a new center for modern treatment of cancer patients.

There are only about a dozen such centers in the world, and more than half are in the Land of the Rising Sun, where there are seven and two at the launch stage, three in Europe (one each in Austria, Germany, Italy) and three more in China.

Now such a unique center will appear in Russia. Construction and technology transfer will be provided by Japanese partners and an international medical Consulting Company. It will be completely built at the expense of private investment. In turn, the center will receive compensation and subsidies from the state.

After the opening of the center, 10-12 people a day will be able to receive treatment there. The plans are to reach the design capacity for a thousand patients per year. Patients from all over the country, for whom other types of therapy will be ineffective, will be able to be treated at the center.

“We are happy about today’s event, which we have been preparing for for quite a long time. Such projects require a lot of hard work, which should be based on trust and professionalism. With the help of this super modern technology, we will close the entire line of radiation therapy, which is now possible in the world,” said A.D. Kaprin. O.O. Salagai stressed the importance of this historic event: “The agreement should be an important step towards the introduction and localization of one of the most promising and modern cancer treatment technologies in our country. One of the key elements of Presidential Decree No. 204 is the implementation of the national cancer program, which is aimed, among other things, at improving the availability, quality and effectiveness of treatment. And the method of therapy according to which the memorandum is being signed will undoubtedly become an important stage in the treatment of oncological diseases, and especially those that are resistant to other types of modern therapy today.”

Mr. Katsuya Sakagami believes that the signing of the memorandum is an important step towards a large and ambitious project.

– I want to thank everyone who provided great support for the implementation of this project in Russia. Without the active participation and support of the Ministry of Health of Russia and the NMIC of Radiology, we could not have implemented such a large project. Our method of therapy is one of the most important in the effective treatment of cancer patients.

A.N. Efanov: “There is still a lot of work ahead, but the first stone in the foundation of success has already been laid. Thanks to the close and friendly contacts with the Japanese side, we expect that the project will be successful and implemented in the very near future.”

FSBI “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia