Katowice hospital to reopen pediatric neuro-oncology ward

The Pediatric Neuro-oncology ward at the Górnośląskie Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka (GCZD) in Katowice is scheduled to begin operations on October 15. This marks a partial return of pediatric cancer services to the city following a reorganization on July 1, when oncological treatments were transferred to the Śląskie Centrum Onkologii i Hematologii Dziecięcej in Zabrze.

The new ward in Katowice will provide hospitalization services in the fields of pediatric oncology and hematology, as well as day-case chemotherapy. However, the hospital noted that it cannot yet provide a full range of inpatient chemotherapy and requires patients to coordinate admission dates in advance. The facility is expected to include 24 beds.

The reorganization previously caused significant tension, including protests from parents concerned about continuity of care and the resignation of six doctors. Those physicians cited concerns regarding patient safety and the preparedness of the Zabrze facility to handle complex cases, such as solid tumors and central nervous system malignancies.