Education and Science, Estonia, Medicine

In the framework of the agreement, the parties wish to agree about common principles and actions in higher grade therapeutic activities, the two institutions said in a press release.

The CEO of PERH, Agris Peedu, pointed out that PERH and Tartu University Hospital have the only interdisciplinary cancer treatment and trauma centers in Estonia, and described joint developing of cancer treatment, organization of trauma treatment across Estonia in collaboration with Tallinn Children's Hospital, the central hospitals and general hospitals when necessary, agreements on the treatment of rare diseases and developing a comprehensive patient journey for patients as standing in the center of future cooperation. 

The CEO of Tartu University Hospital, Priit Eelmae, said that although agreements concerning specific specialties have been concluded between Tartu University Hospital and PERH earlier, the cooperation agreement signed on Thursday provides a new  dimension in the fields of patient treatment, healthcare related research and scientific research, as well as continuing training for healthcare professionals.

"The two regional hospitals have great responsibility not only within their institutions, but also on the healthcare landscape of the country in general. Therefore it is important, with a view to the wellbeing of the people of Estonia and Estonian medicine, to agree about the joint activities and principles of the hospitals, which in its turn will create possibilities for both hospitals to become more patient-centered," Eelmae said.

Various partners will be included in the activities to be carried out under the framework agreement. Developing of cancer treatment and trauma treatment will take place in cooperation with Tallinn Children's Hospital, the central hospitals and general hospitals when necessary. The University of Tartu, the Health insurance Fund and the Ministry of Social Affairs meanwhile will take part in agreeing about single principles of cooperation and activities and devising a common development policy for higher grade therapeutic activities.

PERH, Tartu University Hospital and the University of Tartu are also engaging in cooperation under a three-way cooperation agreement concluded in 2018, which is aimed at the joint conduct of clinical research, participation in international research networks, and science-based developing of new possibilities in treatment and diagnostics as well as in specialist medical care.

Tartu University Hospital and PERH are the top hospitals of Estonia, which employ over 10,000 professionals combined.