“In these difficult times of the COVID epidemic, the power of cooperation and partner relationships has shown its results. Examples of cooperation between the health care system, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Delegation of the European Union are one of the most important examples for improving the handling of COVID-19, not only in our country but also regionally ", says Dr Verica Jovanovic, Acting Director of the Institute of Public Health of Serbia "Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut".
Dr Jovanovic is a specialist in social medicine and public health, she has been working in health care for almost 30 years, and she gained professional experience through various preventive activities.
Many years of medical experience have helped her recognise the needs of the system in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "I think it is very important that the funds are allocated according to needs," says Dr Jovanovic, adding:
"When it comes to cooperation with the European Union, I would like to emphasise the importance of this cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Ministry of Health, especially regarding the priority needs in pandemic control. This cooperation was originally primarily of a logistical nature, mainly for supply and supply support in terms of protective equipment, the cold chain capacity, establishing of a support system in the vaccination process"
Additionally, the support was provided by engaging more people in those profiles that health institutions singled out as key in handling and keeping COVID19 under control, and therefore, "reinforcement" was given to various services and laboratories.
The doctor emphasised the importance of European Union assistance:
"It represents additional support for existing health system capacities, but any kind of support in the ongoing pandemic is of great importance.”
Dr Jovanovic recognises the importance of logistical assistance, procurement of equipment for storing vaccines (the so-called "cold chain"), but also the fact that the EU financed the engagement of 200 experts - doctors, nurses, administrative workers - for nine months.
"I would also like to highlight the engagement of young people who could contribute to the fight against COVID19 in practice and start a professional career that way. They are an addition to all those that the Ministry of Health hired during the epidemic. This cooperation of the representatives of the Delegation of the European Union, the Ministry of Health and the Government of the Republic of Serbia is of great importance for keeping COVID-19 under control on Serbian territory, in the region, and beyond ", concluded the interlocutor.
Together with the financing of transport costs, the EU has so far invested a total of EUR 66 million in the purchase of medical equipment in Serbia. This includes a total of 32 fully equipped vehicles that were delivered to hospitals and health centres in the period from November 2020 to March 2021, to overcome the crisis in the health system and to provide care to patients suffering from COVID-19 and those who are not infected.
The EU procured 33 refrigerators, 33 freezers and 12 ULT freezers to support the vaccination campaign.