The Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases “Dr Slavoljub Bakalović” in Vršac continues to improve the quality and accessibility of its healthcare services by introducing modern diagnostic methods. The commissioning of the MRI scanner marked a significant step forward in the development of this institution and created conditions for providing even higher quality and more efficient healthcare to patients from Vršac, South Banat, and the wider region. The procurement and installation of the MRI scanner were carried out within the project “Early Diagnosis – Living Well With Dementia” (LIWELL), which is implemented through the Interreg IPA Romania – Serbia Programme and co-financed by the European Union. Owing to this project, the hospital has received modern medical diagnostic equipment that will contribute to faster and more accurate medical diagnoses, especially in the fields of neurological, psychiatric, and other diseases. By installing the MRI scanner, the institution further reinforces its role as a regional healthcare centre, with the aim of providing patients with more accessible, higher quality, and modern services in accordance with the highest standards of medical practice. Today’s ceremony was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of European Integration, the Provincial Government, the City of Vršac, healthcare institutions, project partners from the Republic of Romania, as well as by numerous guests and associates of the institution, who together marked the completion of one of the most significant CBC projects in the field of healthcare in this area. The MRI suite was officially opened by the Mayor of Vršac, Dragana Mitrović, and the Director of the Special Hospital, Dr Jelena Đokić.
In addressing the attendees, the Acting Assistant Minister of European Integration, Nemanja Martinović, emphasised the importance of European Funds and CBC programmes as an important instrument for the development of local communities and the improvement of public services. He emphasised that the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases “Dr Slavoljub Bakalović” is one of many institutions that have been successfully using the opportunities provided by European Funds for years, implementing projects that bring concrete benefits to citizens and the healthcare system. Martinović recalled that European programmes fund numerous development projects throughout Serbia in various areas, from infrastructure and environmental protection to healthcare, education and social welfare, stressing that it is precisely projects like this that show how important it is to recognise and utilise available opportunities stemming from international cooperation. According to him, the LIWELL Project represents a good example of how European funds can be successfully utilised with the aim of improving the quality of life of citizens and the development of healthcare institutions.
“Today, we are witnessing an event that is of great importance not only for the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases “Dr Slavoljub Bakalović”, but also for the entire South Banat region. By commissioning the MRI scanner, Vršac gains one of the most important diagnostic devices in modern medicine. This means swift, more accurate, and accessible diagnostics for our citizens, fewer trips to other cities, and more security when it comes to health. This is also the first MRI scanner owned by a state healthcare institution in our region, which represents a major step forward and confirmation that the healthcare system in Vršac is developing in the direction that citizens expect and deserve. I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to the management and employees of the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases “Dr Slavoljub Bakalović”, who have once again demonstrated their ability to successfully prepare and implement a complex international project. The value of the project is measured in millions of euros, but its real importance is reflected in the fact that the results of these investments shall be felt by thousands of citizens in the years to come. I would also like to emphasise that this is an example of how one institution, with the support of the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Serbia and the Provincial Government, can, by utilising its own capacities, knowledge and vision, secure investments that change the quality of healthcare services. While on the topic of healthcare in Vršac, we can proudly say that we are facing a period of major investments and development projects. Some of them are already being implemented, and some are still awaiting us, but it is certain that they will mark the coming decades and significantly improve the quality of healthcare for all our citizens. That is why today we are not only celebrating the commissioning of a medical device – today, we celebrate the knowledge, dedication, responsibility, and vision of people who recognised the needs of their time and created the conditions for our fellow citizens to receive the healthcare they deserve. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the implementation of this project, and I wish for this MRI scanner to serve the health and well-being of all citizens of Vršac and the entire region for many years to come,” said the Mayor of Vršac, Dragana Mitrović, in her address.
Dr Jelena Đokić, director of the Special Hospital, emphasised that today represents a special historical moment for the institution, because the event marking the commissioning of the MRI scanner represents a significant step forward not only for the hospital but also for the entire healthcare system of South Banat:
“I am particularly pleased that this important moment is being realised through the “Early Diagnosis – Living Well With Dementia” (LIWELL) Project, which the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases “Dr Slavoljub Bakalović” in Vršac is implementing as the lead beneficiary, in partnership with the Reșița County Emergency Hospital. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Interreg IPA Romania – Serbia Programme, has the JEMS code RORS00013, and is being implemented in the period from 22. December 2023 to 21 June 2026. This project was co-financed by the European Union, enabling us to turn ideas into concrete results and plans into actual improvements in healthcare for the citizens of Serbia and Romania. The total value of the project for the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases in Vršac is EUR 2,957,427.63, of which EUR 2,513,813.48 was provided through co-financing by the European Union. These funds have enabled the implementation of significant infrastructure investments, the improvement of working conditions, and the development of new capacities that will remain available to future generations. The project was of particular importance to the hospital because it included the construction of a new section of the existing CT/X-ray Suite and the creation of all the necessary conditions for the installation of a modern MRI scanner. In addition to infrastructure works, the project also includes awareness-raising campaigns, professional conferences, education, and activities aimed at improving knowledge and exchanging experiences among healthcare professionals. MRI is one of the most important diagnostic methods in modern medicine. Its application enables extremely precise and early detection of numerous neurological, psychiatric, and other diseases, without exposing patients to ionising radiation. In the field of mental health and neurodegenerative diseases, especially in people with suspected dementia, such diagnostics are of invaluable importance for timely diagnosis and planning of adequate treatment. The particular significance of this project is reflected in the fact that there has been no MRI scanner in public healthcare institutions in this part of South Banat until now. Citizens were forced to travel to other cities for this type of examination, often waiting for longer appointments and enduring additional burdens. Today, we are changing this image. Today, we are creating conditions for modern diagnostics to be more accessible, closer, and more efficient for all our fellow citizens. This success does not belong only to the hospital – it belongs to all the citizens who will benefit from improved healthcare services. It belongs to all healthcare workers who will have better working conditions and professional development. It also belongs to the idea ofEuropean cooperation, which shows that with joint efforts we can achieve more than we can individually,” Dr Đokić emphasised during her welcome speech.
With this project, the Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases “Dr Slavoljub Bakalović” in Vršac has taken another important step in its development and confirmed its ability to successfully implement complex international projects of great importance for the citizens. Of particular value is the fact that this is the first MRI scanner in the region owned by a public healthcare institution, which has created conditions for significant improvement of diagnostics and healthcare for the population of South Banat. By implementing this project, the hospital continues its path of modernisation, strengthening professional capacities, and developing new healthcare services, reinforcing its role as one of the leading healthcare institutions in the region.
Source: Official web portal of the City of Vršac
Video: TV Pančevo
