Kaunas University Hospital

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Main building of Kaunas University Hospital
Main building of Kaunas University Hospital
Hospital library
Hospital library

Kaunas University Hospital (Lithuanian: Kauno medicinos universiteto klinikos) is the largest medical institution in Lithuania.[1] The hospital was established in 1939 in Kaunas, Lithuania's second largest city. As of 2008 the hospital was governed by habilitated doctor Professor Juozas Pundzius.

[edit] History

During the interwar period, Lithuanian politicians and medical experts perceived a need for a major hospital complex in the area, and gathered to discuss the possibility on February 5, 1936.[2] Soon afterwards the Lithuanian cabinet adopted a resolution to build a hospital near the VII fort. An international competition was held to select the best project. Six different proposals were submitted, two of them from outside Lithuania. The commission chose proposal "XXX", by the French architects Urbain Cassan and Elie Ouchanoff.[2]

The development of the hospital quickly gained momentum. Urbain Cassan met with physicians to gather feedback and hear specific requests and proposals for the arrangement of rooms. These discussions went on for about ten days.[2] The building commission acted in coordination to review the designs and sketches, which resulted in redesigns of, and improvements to, several aspects of the initial proposal. In 1937 the cornerstone was laid, marking the active phase of construction. The work continued until July of 1939; it employed several of the newest building technologies. The hospital complex comprised six buildings, covering about 160,000 square meters, including a 75-meter-tall chimney.[2] Its major buildings were linked through underground tunnels, with a total length of one kilometer.[3] Cork was used as flooring in the corridors so as to minimize disturbances to patients. The hospital opened in 1940.[1]

When Lithuania was occupied during World War II, the hospital was adjusted to meet its new needs. The buildings were redecorated with camouflage colors. After the war the hospital underwent further expansion. In 1967 a medical research and laboratory complex was built, followed in 1972 by an obstetrical and gynaecology center, and a few years an eye-care clinic was added.[4] Between 1976 and 1982 a cardiac clinic and a neurosurgery center were constructed, and gardens were planted.[4]

The University Hospital complex consisted in 2008 of 15 buildings where approximately two thousand patients could be treated at once. On May 7, 2008 Kaunas University Hospital was declared a cultural monument.[4]

[edit] Major clinics

  • Eye care
  • Obstetrics and gynecology
  • Ear, nose, and throat
  • Anesthesia
  • Surgery
  • Endocrinology
  • Heart, chest and vein surgery
  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Rehabilitation
  • Consultation

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Kaunas University Hospital. Retrieved on 2008-05-23
  2. ^ a b c d Džiuljeta Kulvietienė .Draugystės konferencija. Retrieved on 2008-05-23
  3. ^ bendri duomenys. Retrieved on 2008-05-23
  4. ^ a b c LR Kultūros ministerija. Kauno klinikų pastatų kompelsas paskaelbtas kultūros paminklu. Retrieved on 2008-05-23