On August 29, 1990, an agreement was signed on non-repayable financial assistance from the Swiss Confederation to Poland. In 1991, it was decided to allocate a portion of the funds, amounting to CHF 15 million, to support the Polish healthcare system, and the "Mother and Child" Program was established. The program's goal was to help sick children and their mothers in the Silesian region.
CHF 13.5 million was allocated to purchase medical equipment and supplies for all levels of healthcare (clinics, hospitals, and district clinics). CHF 1.5 million was allocated to support the training of Polish medical and laboratory personnel employed in the donated medical facilities. Other activities supporting the Silesian healthcare system were also developed, such as scientific and training symposia, a scholarship fund for doctors and nurses, allowing scholarship recipients to train in various countries and to prepare dissertations and doctoral theses. A media library was also funded, providing access to scientific materials and specialized websites. Bulletins and books on industry topics were published. A program for the early detection of profound hearing impairments in newborns and an educational program for women from socially at-risk groups were developed and implemented. The program financed the repair and maintenance costs of the donated equipment, and also purchased and equipped pediatric ambulances.
