German Health Sector Delegation Visits VU Medical Science Centre

On March 2, a delegation from the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, led by the Minister of Health, Sports and Social Security, Stefanie Drese, visited the Vilnius University (VU) Medical Science Centre.

The guests were welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of VU, Prof. Dalius Jatužis, Vice-Dean for Science and Innovation, Assoc. Prof. Karolis Ažukaitis, Head of the Biobank of Lithuanian Population and Rare Diseases, Dr Giedrė Kvedaravičienė, Director of the Translational Health Research Institute, Prof. Tomas Poškus, and the heads of the VU Hospital Santaros Clinics.

During the visit, the delegation representatives were presented with the Medical Science Centre infrastructure, the activities of the Translational Health Research Institute, the Biobank of Lithuanian Population and Rare Diseases, and the scientific and clinical base of the VU Hospital Santaros Clinics.

The meeting emphasised the importance of cooperation between Lithuanian and German scientists, including the preparation of joint applications, the exchange of knowledge, and partnerships in international projects.

During the meeting, an advanced disease modelling centre, which is being established together with Utrecht University, was presented. It will integrate biobank and clinical data, apply artificial intelligence solutions, develop organoid technology, and create innovative personalised treatment models.

Lithuania has the most successful cooperation with Germany in the “Horizon Europe” program, so it is expected that this visit will become a solid foundation for new international projects and a long-term partnership between the scientific and health institutions of both countries.

The guest delegation consisted of: representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Sport of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Schwerin) – Minister S. Drese, Jan Farclas and Ursula Claaßen, representative of the Association of Private Clinics of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (“Landesverband der Privatkliniken des Landes MV”, Malchow) Kay-Uwe Kunze, representative of the health industry cluster “BioCon Valley GmbH” (Rostock) Robin Abt, representative of the private clinic “Klinik Malchower See” operating in Malchow Cathleen Sagunski, representative of the University Medical Center Rostock (“Universitätsmedizin Rostock”) Christiane Stehle, representative of the University Medical Center Greifswald (“Universitätsmedizin Greifswald”) Karlhans Endlich, and representative of the “Physiotherapie Ziesemer” clinic operating in Schwerin Heiko Grunow.