The first ten out of a total of 100 containers for the triage and emergency care of patients potentially ill with Covid-19 procured through EU funds have been placed in seven healthcare institutions in Belgrade to date.
The procurement and setting-up of these containers, worth EUR 590,000, is part of the EU assistance package worth EUR 4,9 million, signed on 3 April this year by Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, Minister Jadranka Joksimović and Head of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Serbia Michela Telatin.
This donation is intended to procure necessary medical equipment – ventilators, laboratory equipment and tests, intensive care monitors, contactless thermometers and protective equipment, which will arrive in Serbia over the course of April and May.
A joint statement from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of European Integration states that the first ten out of a total of 100 containers for the triage and emergency care of patients potentially ill with Covid-19 have been placed in the Clinical Centre of Serbia, clinical hospital centres “Bežanijska kosa”, “Zvezdara” and “Zemun”, University Children's Clinic “Tiršova”, Institute for Health Protection of Mother and Child of Serbia “Dr Vukan Čupić” and the Institute for Biocides and Environmental Medicine.
These containers, each equipped with a bed for examination, a table with two chairs, a contactless thermometer, smaller containers for medical and infectious waste and a waste bin, are a crucial segment in the overall fight against the pandemic and a prevention factor as they prevent the entry of potentially infected persons into healthcare facilities.
“The readiness of our healthcare system to cope with the challenge of virus spread depends, first and foremost, on how well we have been able to protect hospitals, doctors and healthcare professionals committed to safeguarding our health. Therefore, protecting them is crucial to the success of our fight against Covid-19”, said Minister of European Integration and National IPA Coordinator Jadranka Joksimović.
“I am grateful to the European Union for its support due to the fact that we have secured the procurement of over 100 containers for patient triage and contributed to reducing the risk of infection and strengthening our ability to respond to this challenge”, indicated Joksimović.
On 8 April 2020, the European Union announced its “global response” for combating Covid-19 worldwide, worth EUR 15.6 billion.
Initial support amounting to EUR 93 million allocated for Serbia is intended to address the health, economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
The remaining containers, as well as other medical equipment, will be distributed to health facilities in Serbia according to needs assessments made by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia has said that effective triage is a key factor in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, noting that healthcare providers, who are in the forefront of this fight, must be protected in order to help us all.
“This donation will allow them to cope with this crisis with less risk exposure. Barely one day hasn’t passed since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis without the EU delivering or purchasing key medical equipment for healthcare facilities or vulnerable communities. I am proud of the urgent support we are providing to Serbia thanks to the € 15 million crisis response package”, stated Fabrizi.
Just like in previous difficult periods, highlighted Fabrizi, the EU continues to stand by Serbia.
“This virus knows no boundaries. Only together can we defeat our common enemy”, concluded Fabrizi.
The procurement of containers is being carried out by the United Nations Office for Project Services – UNOPS, which, due to the pandemic, has launched an emergency procurement mechanism at the global level.
Source: Tanjug
Photo: The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia
