Saturday, 15 March 2025
The Kellner Family Foundation has terminated a contract to provide a CZK 500 million donation for the construction of the Oncology Centre at Motol University Hospital due to uncertainties surrounding the project. The decision follows an ongoing investigation into public contracts at the hospital, which led to the former hospital director, Miloslav Ludvík, being taken into custody. Police have charged those involved with bribery, subsidy fraud, financial damage to the European Union, and money laundering.
The foundation had initially agreed with the hospital and the Ministry of Health to support the establishment of a scientific and diagnostic oncology center. Of the CZK 500 million donation, CZK 300 million was allocated for construction, while CZK 200 million was intended to fund scientific research following the center’s opening. Under the agreement, the research facility was to include the name of Petr Kellner.
Despite withdrawing its financial commitment, the foundation has expressed a willingness to resume cooperation if the circumstances surrounding the project are resolved. Spokesman Michal Kříž confirmed that the foundation remains supportive of the initiative and continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health. “If the situation regarding the construction of the Motol Cancer Centre is clarified, the foundation is ready to renew its cooperation,” Kříž stated.
The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the foundation’s concerns and decision. Ministry spokesman Ondřej Jakob confirmed ongoing communication with the Kellner Family Foundation. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek emphasized that the Motol Cancer Centre is expected to be funded primarily through European resources from the National Recovery Plan (NPO). The planned CZK 4.5 billion construction was set to receive a European subsidy of CZK 3.7 billion. If financial mismanagement is proven, the European Commission may withhold reimbursement for the project.
Initial plans for the oncology center projected that the facility would be fully operational by July 2026 to comply with European funding regulations. The project included advanced medical equipment, such as two linear irradiation accelerators, along with a 60-bed oncology ward and a day care center for chemotherapy treatment for over 80 patients. The Kellner Family Foundation’s donation was originally intended to support the Scientific and Diagnostic Cancer Center, which was to be integrated with the Motol facility.
Source: CTK
