Another contingent of protective medical equipment intended for health workers, worth 137,000 euros, was delivered to Montenegro. Delivery includes 200,000 surgical masks, type IIR, and 6,000 pieces of high quality masks, type N95, which are made available to the health system of Montenegro. Today’s donation is part of the European Union’s donation for emergency support to Montenegro in the fight against Covid-19, the total value of which is 3 million euros, and which is being implemented by the UNDP Office in Montenegro. Since the beginning of the project, a total of 100 lung ventilators, 10 modern X-ray devices and over two million pieces of personal protective equipment have been delivered.
On the occasion of the handover of the equipment, the head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Ambassador Oana Kristina Popa, emphasized that today’s donation is another confirmation of the solidarity and friendship between EU citizens and the citizens of Montenegro. “With this delivery, we are completing the package of donations from the European Union worth 3 million euros. Within this package of European Union’s grants, Montenegro was provided with the most necessary protective equipment for health workers, as well as vital medical equipment, including 100 respirators, which significantly improved the health system’s ability to protect lives and health. In a time of severe health and economic challenges, the European Union continues to affirm solidarity as its core value and continues to support Montenegro in the joint fight against the coronavirus pandemic,” said Ambassador Popa.
Montenegro’s chief negotiator with the European Union and national IPA coordinator, Aleksandar Drljevic , reminded that the Government had already pointed out the importance of quick support to the health system in the form of additional protective and medical equipment for health institutions, but also stressed the importance of consolidated long-term support from the European Union to address the consequences of the epidemic. “The fact that today’s delivery marks the completion of EU’s donation package is especially important for our health system, which, equipped with new lung ventilators, mobile X-ray machines, but also protective equipment, will be more prepared for the growing challenges posed by the spread of the new virus.” The overall support of the European Union during the epidemic confirms that solidarity is the basic value of a united Europe, and solidarity in action in Montenegro indicates the importance of the process of accession to the European Union and the overall challenges we face,“ said Drljevic.
Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, pointed out that “this is the last in a series of seven deliveries of medical and personal protective equipment, which is provided within the project financed by the European Union.” The realization of this project is a strong confirmation of solidarity and partnership that will help save the lives of citizens, provide an adequate response to challenges and defeat the pandemic. In addition to this initiative, UNDP is implementing several projects in the area of long-term strengthening of the health system through the introduction of digital technologies, which will open new opportunities for prevention, treatment and quality of health services that will be of great benefit to patients and health workers in Montenegro,” Gasparikova pointed out and stressed that “UNDP’s continued support for Montenegro’s European path continues through strengthening the institutions of the system and contributing to the country’s overall socio-economic recovery.”
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As part of a joint response to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Union Delegation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro signed a 3 million euros contract in early April to procure necessary medical equipment and personal protective equipment for health workers. The contract is financed from EU funds, and the procurement was conducted by UNDP in cooperation with the competent institutions.
Donated medical equipment will contribute to the improvement of hospital capacities in Montenegro even after the epidemic is over, because modern X-ray devices will provide more accurate and faster radiographic diagnostics in hospitals in Bar, Niksic, Berane, Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, as well as in the Clinical Centre of Montenegro. Infectious Diseases Clinic, Neurology Clinic, Institute of Pediatrics, Central Intensive Care Unit and Intensive Metabolic Unit.
