The U Apolináře Maternity Hospital celebrates 150 years! The modernization and completion of the premises will enhance its prestige in the Czech Republic and Europe

660 thousand children were born in the 150 years of existence of the Clinic of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and the General Hospital in Prague. The Apollinary Clinic was opened on April 22, 1875 as the Royal Provincial Maternity Hospital, it is an exceptional historical and architectural monument and one of the oldest maternity hospitals in Europe. It was built by the architect Josef Hlávka. Today it provides top-notch healthcare and is the largest educational and scientific center in the field of gynecology and obstetrics in the Czech Republic. It sets trends in many areas, including on an international scale, and is a sought-after public space, visited by 100 thousand visitors annually.

 

The reality of city hospitals – what next?

The General Teaching Hospital in Prague is part of the historic city center and is actively involved in the planning and development of its current and future appearance. "Hospitals belong where people live. However, it is important to align the needs of the local population, our hospital and the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University with regard to the transport regime of the area and with an emphasis on the monumental value of buildings and their modernization. A modern hospital does not mean newly built, but one that meets the needs of the present and the near future,"explains the director of the General Hospital in Prague, Prof. MUDr. David Feltl, Ph.D., MBA, and adds: "Our goal is to modernize and complete the Apollinaire Clinic with humility towards the current state, but also with a view to the next 100 years of existence of this excellent gynecological and obstetrics workplace. We have completed the preparatory work and will soon announce an architectural competition."

 

Apolinář 2025 – a modern clinic with a new vision

"The Clinic of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology at Apolinář is an absolutely key facility that not only delivers many children, but due to its status as a perinatology center, it also does so in complicated cases and saves many lives during and after childbirth. The healthcare professionals there are among the Czech and world leaders not only in the medical but also in the academic field, and for the Ministry of Health, its quality and further development are a clear priority," stated the Minister of Health Prof. MD Vlastimil Válek, CSc., MBA, EBIR.

 

What should a modern hospital look like? "It should be a pleasant environment that does not frighten patients, but helps with their treatment. It should be efficient, so that the movement of patients, doctors, medics, medicines, linen, and even food, for example, is as economical as possible." The clinic must meet all hygiene, safety and fire requirements. But most importantly, its premises should correspond to the current care provided. Given that care is constantly changing, it must be able to respond flexibly to changes,”  says the head of the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and the General Hospital of Prague, Prof. MUDr. David Cibula, CSc.

In recent years, the clinic has gradually adapted its premises to the changing demands of women's care. "We have opened a patient center where patients meet volunteers. We have prepared a simulation center for teaching doctors and training healthcare workers. We will soon open a modern center for postpartum women, which will allow mothers who have had a cesarean section to be with their baby immediately after giving birth.,” adds the head of the clinic, Prof. Cibula. By combining ultrasound examination rooms, the clinic also ensured a so-called “one-stop” examination for oncology patients, who are now completely prepared for treatment within one day. The newly opened birthing center brought a wide range of options for childbirth to mothers, including a birthing tub, a birthing couch, and treatment of the newborn after a cesarean section with constant contact with the mother.

The oncology ward, where patients undergo demanding outpatient treatment throughout the day and need more privacy, is currently being modernized. The clinic is also preparing to adapt its day surgery center, which will increase capacity and shorten hospital stays. "These are positive changes. However, the capacity of the current building, built 150 years ago for the purposes of a maternity hospital, does not meet all the requirements of modern obstetrics, to which has been added care for premature babies and the entire gynecological care for women from puberty to old age. The project for the reconstruction and development of the Apolinář, which we have prepared with the management of the VFN, should resolve these limitations," concludes Prof. Cibula.