This week, the Alpes-Maritimes department presented its health policy for the current year at the Institut Mozart.
At the Institut Mozart, health becomes a place for sharing and support for the people of Maralpins. Between prevention, support, and group workshops, patients and caregivers find here a unique space where they feel listened to and supported in facing cancer. The Alpes-Maritimes department presented its health policy at a conference at the Institut Mozart, in the presence of the President of Saône-et-Loire and the Vice-president in charge of health and seniors. This presentation highlights the department’s innovative initiatives and its partnership with the Antoine Lacassagne Center to better support the people of Maralpins.
For over twenty years, the department has placed health at the heart of its priorities. Guided by the conviction “Health for you above all”, it has developed an ambitious policy to guarantee every resident access to quality services across the territory. The main focuses of this policy are combating medical desertification, prevention, and promoting public health, fighting cancer and supporting patients, as well as supporting research and innovation.
An unprecedented place for cancer support
At the entrance of the Institut Mozart, a banner highlights the collaboration: “the Alpes-Maritimes Department and the Antoine Lacassagne Center pool their expertise to better offer you a place for support, care, and exchange in the fight against cancer and in favor of prevention.”
The place offers a wide range of services: supportive and wellness care, psychosocial and administrative support, prevention and awareness actions, and exchange workshops between professionals. On site, 34 professionals are mobilized, including 22 from the Department and the rest provided by the Antoine Lacassagne Center, including psychologists, art therapists, and specialized facilitators. Patient therapeutic education programs have also been relocated here to strengthen group workshops, a central aspect according to the teams: “what matters a lot here is the group. People come to exchange and share,” explains a professional.
During our visit to the site, we were able to witness the warm atmosphere and dynamism of the spaces. A cooking workshop was underway, concretely illustrating the practical and collective dimension of the actions offered to patients and caregivers, who can thus share moments of conviviality while learning to better manage their diet during treatment.
Voices from the field
Charles-Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council, encourages hesitant individuals: “do not hesitate! They will find confidentiality and people with heart and scientific knowledge to provide real relief, including psychological. The moment one learns about their cancer is crucial, and coming here can help from diagnosis and during treatment.“
Professor Emmanuel Barranger, Director of the Antoine Lacassagne Center, highlights the model’s originality: “the Institut Mozart offers a unique place for patients and caregivers, with free well-being care, regardless of the place of care. In France, cancer patients are well cared for, but cancer remains a burden for families. It is essential to promote this type of support.“
Marie Gastineau, patient therapeutic education referent, emphasizes the importance of the connection with elected officials and proximity to patients: “everything revolves around the patient. Being able to have the support of elected officials and directly exchange with professionals is important. To those who might not dare to step through the door of the Institut Mozart, I would say: just take one step! The second will be much easier.“
This presentation marks a key stage in the health policy of the department, combining prevention, support, and innovation. The Institut Mozart concretely illustrates the commitment of the department and its partners to offering the residents of the Alpes-Maritimes adapted, humane, and collective solutions – akin to the Maison Axel Kahn – in the fight against cancer.
And for all those who are still hesitant, just one step into these bright and welcoming spaces is enough to understand that support, care, and sharing can become true allies in battling the disease.
