The session began on a pleasant note with the presentation of thanks to the supervisors and students of Middle School No. 2 in Bogatynia. During the summer holidays, the volunteers took part in the “Save the Grave of Your Great-Grandfather from Oblivion” campaign. Mayor Andrzej Grzmielewicz expressed his thanks and appreciation for the noble mission undertaken by the young people.

As they themselves say, their stay in Ukraine was a great challenge, but it was worth it: – Our stay in Sokal brought us many moving experiences, we received many warm gestures, made friends with local residents and already know that we are ready to set out for the Borderlands once again to save Polish graves.

The following took part in the trip to Ukraine: Olga Mruk, Kaja Mruk, Marika Gęgotek, Patrycja Niezabitowska, Adrian Witkowski and Michał Małkiewicz, while the group was supervised by Leokadia Kołodzińska-Zysk and Małgorzata Chwałko-Mruk. The Bogatynia Municipality supported the volunteers by helping organise transport and providing appropriate equipment.

Later in the session, the councillors adopted the report on budget implementation for the first half of 2014. After reviewing the information submitted by the mayor, the Regional Chamber of Audit issued a positive opinion on budget implementation for the first half of the year.

The head of the Social Welfare Centre in Bogatynia also presented her report during Wednesday’s session. In 2013, the Social Welfare Centre provided assistance to 1,161 households comprising 2,372 people.

The next and most important item on the agenda was information on the operation of the Independent Public Healthcare Complex in Bogatynia. In her speech, SP ZOZ director Jolanta Syposz presented the situation of healthcare facilities in Bogatynia, reported on recent renovations and achievements, and outlined plans for the future.

The mission of SP ZOZ in Bogatynia is to provide the local community with medical security by delivering services in primary healthcare, inpatient treatment and outpatient specialist care. The subordinate facilities include the hospital in Bogatynia with five wards and an Admissions Department, health clinics on Wyczółkowskiego and Fabryczna Streets, a rehabilitation clinic at Primary School No. 3, and rural health centres in Porajów, Opolno-Zdrój and Działoszyn.

Nearly 70,000 patients used the services of the Bogatynia Healthcare Centre in 2013. An exceptionally important element of medical care in Bogatynia is the Admissions Department, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This would not be unusual were it not for the fact that the National Health Fund does not enter into a contract, meaning it does not cover the costs of night and holiday care at the Admissions Department in Bogatynia. Thanks to support from the Bogatynia local government, it was possible to restore these services. In 2013, the Admissions Department provided 5,307 outpatient consultations, most of them in internal medicine and surgery, as well as paediatrics.

For two years, the only facility contracted by the National Health Fund in the county has been the Emergency Department of the hospital in Zgorzelec.

In 2013, and also this year, healthcare facilities in Bogatynia have been undergoing various modernisation projects. The Bogatynia local government provided substantial funds, making it possible to completely renovate the Admissions Department, the Surgical Ward and the clinic on Wyczółkowskiego Street.

A comprehensive modernisation of the gynaecology and obstetrics ward, including the delivery suite, is currently under way. Once these modernisation works are completed, the Bogatynia hospital will certainly improve the standard of its services.

As Mayor Andrzej Grzmielewicz assured, the local government will not stop with these investments; more are to come. The most important needs of our healthcare system include purchasing a CT scanner and replacing worn-out medical equipment, as well as replacing the lift and thermally modernising the hospital. – The gain for healthcare is the life and health of patients – Mayor Grzmielewicz continued, stressing the Bogatynia local government’s constant efforts to ensure safe, good and comfortable treatment conditions in our city. This is confirmed by the operation of numerous specialist clinics, where the waiting time for an appointment does not exceed two weeks. In most clinics, patients are admitted on an ongoing basis.

Undoubtedly, the greatest potential of healthcare in Bogatynia is its staff. Highly qualified medical and nursing personnel, as well as support staff, have a significant and positive impact on how patients perceive healthcare in Bogatynia. For this reason, the mayor expressed his particular appreciation and thanks to all SP ZOZ employees.

UGiM Bogatynia/ii