LIFEGATE

Linking International Facilities for Early Detection and Global Access to Treatment and Evaluation (LIFEGATE)

Priority Axis 3: Accessible and resilient health services
Operation start date: 01 July 2025
Operation completion date: 30 June 2028
Budget: EUR 9.537.992,20
Number of partners: 7

Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The LIFEGATE project aims to reduce mortality from cardiovascular and cancer-related diseases by optimally implementing early detection programs and improving treatment. The project focuses on two key healthcare areas—oncology and cardiology—through two dedicated work packages.
The first work package targets oncology, with an emphasis on early lung cancer detection using innovative digital tools and outcome reporting for radiotherapy treatments. This will enhance treatment effectiveness across both rural and urban areas. In rural regions with high lung cancer incidence, mobile teams equipped with portable X-ray machines and AI-supported tools will be deployed. A mobile app, React, will be developed to support primary prevention by enabling individual risk assessments and generating a cross-border risk map. The project also includes the creation of a Cross-Border Oncology Council to coordinate regional cooperation and adapt Croatia’s early lung cancer detection program for less developed countries in the cross-border region. Particular focus is placed on improving radiotherapy outcomes through advanced equipment and staff training.
The second work package addresses cardiovascular diseases and hereditary cancers. It aims to streamline patient pathways across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, while reducing inequalities in access to tertiary care. It includes a pilot initiative to standardize care for degenerative heart valve disease and introduces a program for genetic counselling and testing for hereditary cancers. Capacity building will be supported through professional training and international conference participation, along with public and professional awareness campaigns.
The overarching goal of the project is to harmonize healthcare standards, improve access, and ensure equitable health outcomes throughout the cross-border region.

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Beneficiaries:

University Clinical Hospital Mostar (BA), as Lead Partner, is responsible for project coordination, including communication, risk management, reporting, and overall implementation across work packages. Additionally, it will contribute to the development of the healthcare algorithm for the mobile application, the prevention program in primary and secondary healthcare, and the implementation of the lung cancer prevention pilot. It will coordinate and deliver medical training and procure a modern linear accelerator.

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University Hospital Centre Zagreb (HR) is responsible coordinating and implementing activities related to the Work Package 2. Partner is responsible for creation and implementation of new joint procedures and selection of high- risk individuals within oncology and cardiology, capacity building activities for medical professionals, implementing joint certified trainings and visibility and communication activities.

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Clinical Center of Montenegro (ME) is responsible for investing in medical equipment and facilities to enhance healthcare services, implements specialized diagnostic and treatment procedures in accordance with EU healthcare standards, participates in capacity-building activities through medical staff training and adoption of new technologies, participates in knowledge and expertise transfer with project partners, and organizes activities to ensure efficient and smooth project implementation.

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Clinical Hospital Center Split (HR) will procure and implement RayStation treatment planning system with automated machine learning capabilities to enhance radiotherapy efficiency and safety. Partner will also organize activities to ensure implementation of the most advanced radiotherapy solutions within the LIFEGATE project for maximally personalized patient treatment.

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Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska (BA) is participating in developing primary and secondary lung cancer prevention programs, developing React-based mobile applications for high-risk patient identification and screening referrals and participates in training program development and execution for healthcare professionals. Project partner is also developing communication guides on lung cancer screening benefits and risks and organizing marketing campaigns and educational activities to promote early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and best practices dissemination across the region.

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Institute for Public Health of Montenegro (ME) is responsible for developing primary and secondary cancer prevention programs, creating screening registries, establishing an online education platform, and laying the groundwork for counseling individuals at higher risk for lung cancer.

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Faculty of Medicine of the University of Banja Luka (BA) is responsible for developing standardized oncology protocols and knowledge-sharing frameworks through the Cross-Border Oncology Council, participates in cancer prevention research and clinical trials comparing AI-enhanced screening versus low-dose CT for lung cancer detection and participates in capacity building through educational initiatives and training programs for medical professionals.