Advanced handheld ultrasound device for Jávorszky Ödön Hospital, Vác

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With the support of our official car sponsor for the 2025 Burns Supper, Mercedes-Benz Hungary, the Robert Burns International Foundation (RBIF) proudly continued its mission to support and enhance paediatric medical care in Hungary in 2025 with a generous donation to Jávorszky Ödön Hospital in Vác.

The Foundation funded the purchase of a state-of-the-art 3-in-1 handheld colour Doppler ultrasound device.

This versatile ultrasound device combines colour Doppler, linear and convex probes in one compact unit, providing doctors with a powerful diagnostic tool that enhances imaging capabilities across multiple areas of medicine.

The colour Doppler function allows for detailed visualisation of blood flow, making it invaluable for cardiovascular assessments and vascular studies. The linear and convex probes expand the device’s usability for diverse examinations including abdominal, musculoskeletal and soft tissue imaging.

Jávorszky Ödön Hospital, a key regional medical centre, delivers comprehensive care to the surrounding community. The addition of this handheld ultrasound device advances the hospital’s diagnostic precision, facilitating quicker and more accurate assessments at the bedside.

The portability and multi-functionality of the device enable medical professionals to perform high-quality imaging even in emergency situations or areas with limited space.

Chief Physician Dr. Veronika Ila explains why this device was so important:

The new handheld ultrasound device is useful because it improves the standard of care we can offer whilst broadening the scope of services. In certain cases we will now be able to perform bedside examinations, instead of having to transport the patient for their ultrasound, which is very beneficial for us and particularly the patient.

We will be taking part in training courses in the future to make sure we make the most of this new equipment. Radiation-free imaging diagnostics is increasingly gaining ground in bedside examinations, and it is ever more justified, professionally, to acquire and employ these skills. Due to its small and compact size, it is easy to move, and with Wi-Fi connectivity and a downloadable application, it is simple to use and provides quick results.

The Robert Burns International Foundation remains committed to its ongoing partnership with healthcare institutions like Jávorszky Ödön Hospital. By funding cutting-edge medical equipment, the Foundation helps improve patient care standards and supports healthcare professionals in delivering the best possible outcomes.

Oxygen therapy in Hódmezővásárhely

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As in the past six years, the Robert Burns International Foundation made a significant donation to the Infant and Children’s Department of the Hódmezővásárhely-Mako Health Care Centre in 2024. Together with the 1.2 million HUF donated this year, the total amount of donations so far exceeds 7 million HUF. This year’s project was again achieved with the help of Inter Relocation.

According to Dr. Ferenc Papp, head physician at the department:

We believe we have used the funds carefully and in the most useful way possible, and that each year we have acquired diagnostic and/or therapeutic medical equipment that has contributed significantly to improving the quality and safety of neonatal, infant and paediatric care at our department. One important criterion in selecting the equipment was to use it to treat as many children as possible, so this year we purchased an oxygen therapy device.

The AIRVO2 device is designed to deliver high flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC). This non-invasive ventilation method delivers a high flow of heated and humidified oxygen-air mixture into the patient’s nose through a special nasal device to facilitate breathing and ensure adequate oxygenation. It has many advantages over conventional oxygen therapy and often avoids the need for intubation and invasive ventilation. The high flow rate improves the effectiveness of oxygen therapy, the warming and humidification help to clear the airways and reduce the risk of nasal mucosal damage. HFNC treatment can be used in children of any age, including newborns, with the right size nasal device. The treatment is gentler, more comfortable and better tolerated by children compared to other airway therapies.Thanks to the device donated by the RBIF the children’s department can add this valuable test to its diagnostic portfolio.

The concentration of inhaled oxygen can be easily varied and read on the display, which also shows the set temperature and flow rate values. Operating the device is relatively simple and quick to learn, with a dedicated child mode. Its compact size makes it easy to carry or to place on a rolling stand for mobility. The nose device is made of soft silicone, with a material and design that ensures comfort of use and a stable fixation.

HFNC treatment is mainly used in children, especially infants, who develop mild to moderate respiratory distress due to bronchitis (acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis), chiefly caused by a viral infection. The most common causative agent is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can affect many infants in epidemic form from autumn to spring, and many of whom may develop respiratory failure requiring hospitalisation. Formerly premature infants are particularly at risk of severe infection. During an epidemic, several RSV-infected infants may require HFNC treatment in the department each week, which is why it was particularly important to purchase an additional unit to the one already in place. This will allow two children to be treated at the same time.

With the equipment we have purchased, we can provide HFNC treatment for infants and newborns or even older children in the above-mentioned pathologies in our department, thus avoiding the need to transfer these patients to another institution. Our department has once again acquired a valuable and useful device that will be of therapeutic assistance to many patients, for which we are grateful to the Robert Burns International Foundation and its supporters.

“The marathon will humble you”

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50th BERLIN Marathon 2024

Berlin-Chicago-New York City-Tokyo-Boston-London. The holy grails for runners, and if you’re really serious about running, you want to run them. The Berlin Marathon is part of the world’s 6 most prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. I ran the New York City Marathon in 2019, my first marathon in the year after my treatment for breast cancer. It was a cathartic experience, beyond being a bucket list item.

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This is my 10th year running, I now have 4 marathons, 7 Ultramarathons as a team and countless half marathons behind me, along with other prestigious Hungarian races. You can enter the Abbott Marathons either by running a qualifying time, which is not an option for me, taking part in a lottery, or by volunteering as a fundraiser, where you make a donation to the charity of your choice.

I entered the 50th anniversary Berlin Marathon as a running ambassador for the Suhanj! foundation, where I pledged to raise at least HUF 500,000 by the time of the race.

I had wanted to go for years, and since the spirit and aims of the Suhanj! foundation are close to my heart – they’ve been helping disabled children get moving for over 15 years – I applied knowing I was unlikely to succeed. At the same time, I knew that if accepted, I could certainly complete the distance and reach the target amount, because I raise funds for all my major races, and I have always asked for support to treat sick or underprivileged children, or to improve their quality of life. So far with success.

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That’s why I’ve been helping the RBIF for 8 years now as a volunteer administrator, because giving is the best thing to do.

In the months leading up to the race I was looking for sponsors, so of course I asked the Robert Burns Foundation if they could stand by me to support the Suhanj! Foundation’s sports centre in Budapest to provide professional coaching for disabled children. And the Board placed their faith in me!

From there, it was just a matter of running. I was so grateful, excited and proud to be there in Berlin, where I was one of 55,000 runners starting the 26 miles. I had the Suhanj! Foundation on my running gear, which gave me extra strength, I had a mission. Their slogan is “we give strength”, and this gave me super energy.

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The big marathons are running festivals. Almost every nation in the world is represented, and millions of supporters line the route, giving encouragement, refreshments, playing music and cheering. It’s a great celebration for us runners, where, apart from the elite athletes, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you (within the 8-hour time limit), because you gain experiences along the way that set you up for the future. The sporting value is high, the distance is said to be superhuman.

I completed the distance in 4 hours 40 minutes, but what I came away with was the experience of a lifetime.

With the support of my followers and the RBIF’s funding of 1.000.000 Ft, I was able to raise a total of HUF 1,742,000 to secure the services of a professional coach for the Suhanj! children for over 3 months!

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I am extremely grateful that the RBIF supported me, believed in what I stand for, trusted in my performance, and so we were able to contribute to the additional conditioning and developmental exercise of many children by qualified coaches!

Thank you RBIF, thank you Berlin, go Suhanj!

Bernadette Kellermayer RBIF Admin, volunteer fundraising running ambassador, breast cancer survivor

 

 

Improved treatment of jaundice at Péterfy Sándor Utca Hospital

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The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Péterfy Sándor Street Hospital in Budapest is one of the largest level-2 NICUs in the country.

Each year, the unit cares for between 500 and 600 premature infants, with a capacity to accommodate 20 to 30 babies at any given time.

For the past decade, the Robert Burns International Foundation has been a generous supporter of the unit, making regular high-value donations to help the medical team provide safer and more effective care for these vulnerable patients, significantly enhancing their daily operations.

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In 2024, the Robert Burns International Foundation donated HUF 5 million for use in various fields. One area was the treatment of jaundice, a common ailment in premature babies, so part of the funding raised at the Burns Supper was used to buy a transcutaneous bilirubinometer.

Dr. Boross explains:

The degree of jaundice in newborns has so far only been determined by blood tests. The transcutaneous bilirubinometer enables the level of bile in the blood to be determined without having to resort to using needles and syringes. This saves the little patients (and nurses) from having to give/take blood samples several times a day, and the procedure is much faster, more cost-effective and more beneficial in every way.

In terms of treatment, the RBIF donation also funded the purchase of a bilirubin lamp. This modern piece of equipment allows the medical staff to treat neonatal jaundice more effectively, and for shorter periods, which is much more convenient than the procedure previously employed with older devices.

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With over 500 babies passing through the department every year, keeping textiles and linen clean and hygienic is one of the main priorities. So when it transpired that the main washing machine had broken down, the RBIF donation was able to finance a quality Miele washing machine that is designed to cope with such workloads.

With the professional washing machine, we can wash the newborns’ clothes and bed linen in the ward in a hygienic way – added Dr. Boross.

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Finally, the 2024 donation was rounded off with 2 new medicine cabinets as well as 10 new breastfeeding chairs and stools, equally important parts of the furniture in such an important department of the Péterfy Sándor Street Hospital.

Crucial accessories for emergency care on the road, Peter Cerny Foundation

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In 2024 we once again reached out to the Peter Cerny Foundation, a charitable organisation based in Budapest that has been operating now for 35 years with the prime objective of saving premature babies in the Central Hungary region. With staff numbering around 35 they perform vital work in ensuring babies get the essential care they need at the right time.

Following discussions, the PCF asked for our support in various ways. Firstly, we helped put a new and fully equipped ambulance on the road. The funding provided by the RBIF helped to install a vital hydraulic load-lift in the ambulance, which is used to lift the incubators in and out of the vehicle. Safety is obviously paramount during the use of these ambulances, and the generous support of the guest and sponsors at the January 2024 Burns Supper was crucial in making this happen.

But our assistance didn’t stop there. The success of the 2024 event enabled us to finance the purchase of nasal equipment, breathing circuits and humidification chambers that are essential for the daily rescues of neonatal babies and for transporting ventilated patients between hospitals.

Peter Cerny Foundation director Barnabás Lendvai:

These pieces of equipment are very expensive to purchase, and the public funding we receive from the state only covers 62% of our operating costs (2023 figure). The grant kindly donated by the Robert Burns International Foundation has covered our needs in this area for about 1 month of the year, which we thank you for, especially on behalf of the premature and sick newborn babies that we save.

The Peter Cerny Foundation operates as a public provider offering a service that is not fully covered by the state, ensuring life-saving care for newborn babies born unexpectedly outside of the hospital environment, but requiring specialised treatment. They are on call day and night, but with only 62% funding for running costs, they are unable to operate without direct support from companies and organisations as part of their social responsibility frameworks.

“Selfless donations such as the one provided by the RBIF covers the purchase of special equipment for this life-saving care of premature babies, often weighing between 400 and 1000 grams, so we are extremely grateful to the guests and sponsors of the RBIF.”

 

RBIF donations used daily by patients and medical staff in Vác

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Following a first and successful donation in 2023 for the Jávorszky Ödön Hospital in the city of Vác, just north of Budapest, the Foundation Board of the RBIF decided to continue its support of this health-care institution that performs vital work in the region.

 

Dr. Ila Veronika, chief physician and head of the paediatric department, was delighted upon hearing news of the next round of assistance funded by the guests and sponsors of the Burns Supper, and soon came back to us with their wish-list.

In 2024 the children’s ward of the hospital in Vác received two high-quality beds and two very accurate and reliable scales, significantly improving the level of care offered to newborns and young children.

The beds are comfortable and easy to use, thereby helping patients recover more quickly. The nurses, for their part, find the beds very easy to clean and maintain, which is not an insignificant consideration. – explained Dr, Veronika Ila.

The scales purchased by the Robert Burns International Foundation from the 2024 donations are extremely accurate and are crucial for measuring the volume of breast-feeding in newborn babies.

According to Dr. Ila,

these scales allow even the smallest changes in weight to be reliably monitored, whether it’s a loss of fluid or the amount of breast milk taken, these volumes cannot be measured in any other way.

Such equipment is essential for tracking crucial changes in the health of newborns, adding that these donations directly contribute to improving daily operations at the hospital. The RBIF’s continued focus on providing practical, life-saving tools has strengthened its relationship with the hospital, ensuring a brighter future for paediatric care in the Vác region.

The equipment and furniture financed by donations from the RBIF are used by the patients and the medical staff in the children’s ward every day, helping to make a real difference to the quality of care.

 

Delayed development assessments in Zalaegerszeg

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For many years now as part of our SME Sponsorship Scheme, and in collaboration with FirstMed Centers, the Robert Burns International Foundation has supported the Infant and Paediatric Department at the Szent Rafael Hospital in Zalaegerszeg.

This hospital not only functions as a health-care institution for the 60,000 people who live in this town situated in the south-west of Hungary in Zala county, it is also the main hospital for the surrounding area, and accepts patients from throughout western Hungary, and even from across Hungary’s borders.

The assistance that we were asked to give in 2024 was directed at three different areas of the paediatric department. The first priority was to acquire a set of equipment enabling the doctors and nurses to perform Bayley III assessments.

As explained by Consultant Physician Dr. László Gárdos,

the Bayley III test assesses the development of infants and young children from one month to 3.5 years of age. It provides detailed information on children’s cognitive, language and motor functions, social and emotional reactions. The test helps to identify delayed development and provides information for planning necessary interventions.

The second area the RBIF was able to help in 2024 was with the purchase of an ultrasonic drug nebuliser. This device is used to treat respiratory diseases effectively. By inhaling the drug in a nebulised form, the drug is delivered to the lowest airways. This technology can significantly increase the effectiveness of the therapy.

Finally, we financed the purchase of a stool calprotectin analyser.

This device is a great help in the care and treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and indeed with diagnosing the disease. The extent of inflammation in the gut can be assessed by using the analyser – explained Dr. Gárdos.

The relationship we have with the Szent Rafael Hospital in Zalaegerszeg is in fact a three-way partnership, as from the very outset we have teamed up with Dennis Diokno and his team at FirstMed in providing this much-needed assistance. Our thanks to them for continuing to support us in the SME Sponsorship Scheme so we can facilitate these improvements at the hospital in Zalaegerszeg every year.