On 20 September 2019, a club meeting took place under the theme ‘100 years of pride. 30 years of the “Teraz Polska” emblem’. A key part was the debate ‘Innovation as the driving force of the Polish economy’, featuring Dr Patryk Dziurski (SGH), Bogusława Skowroński (MIT Enterprise Forum Poland), and ‘Teraz Polska’ laureates Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński (MEDINCUS Center of Hearing and Speech) and Prof. Anna Wójcicka (Warsaw Genomics). Radek Brzózka, a TVP journalist, presenter and science communicator, moderated the debate.
Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński stressed that the Center of Hearing and Speech takes an innovative approach to patients and entering new markets. It identifies needs and creates products responding to demand. One example is SPPS-S, a tool for treating children with concentration difficulties, speech development problems or voice disorders. The therapy proved effective against disorders increasingly affecting young patients and met parents’ expectations. The tool is also available abroad, and therapy can be provided in Russian.
Innovation in medicine means more than new therapies and medicines. MEDINCUS continues to explore new business opportunities and offers patients not only medical services but also help arranging travel from abroad, enhanced care and prices competitive with Western centres. Polish medical services are increasingly chosen by patients from both Eastern and Western Europe, who appreciate the combination of attractive prices and the highest quality standards.
Prof. Skarżyński also identified barriers to Polish innovation: primarily difficulties accessing specialists, a lack of tax incentives and a complicated research and development funding system.
During the meeting, Director Michał Lipiński presented recent research on entrepreneurs’ perceptions of the ‘Teraz Polska’ emblem and current Polish consumer trends. President Krzysztof Przybył announced the 30th ‘Teraz Polska’ competition for the best product, service and innovation and presented certificates to laureates renewing their right to use the emblem.
The evening culminated in ‘Bracia Polacy’, a performance by Krakowski Teatr Komedia, itself a ‘Teraz Polska’ laureate, and a banquet. The event was co-organised with the theatre and Warsaw’s SGH and SGGW universities. It received funding from the NIEPODLEGŁA Multiannual Programme for 2017–2022 through the ‘Niepodległa’ grant programme.
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