Maternity unit in Presevo equipped with support from Europe and the Government of Serbia

Ambassador Michael Davenport delivered equipment for out-of-hospital maternity unit in Presevo, which was procured with the funds from the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme EU PROGRES.

Presevo, 31 January 2014 – Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia Michael Davenport delivered equipment for out-of-hospital maternity unit in Presevo, which was procured with the funds from the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme EU PROGRES.

Maternity unit in Presevo was closed since 1989, so women from this area had to travel even up to 70 kilometres to Vranje, Skoplje, Gnjilane, Pristina or Kumanovo to give birth. In order for a new maternity starts to work again, incubator, ultrasound device, stabiliser, defibrillators and other equipment €255,000 worth were donated through the EU PROGRES. According to estimations, around 400 women could be delivered here every year.

“The construction of this maternity unit was one of the priority projects for improvement of health care in South Serbia, which we managed to complete with joint efforts. This is also a good example how joint visions of ministries, Coordination Body, local self-government and foreign donors can be well realised. And only with good health care and quality conditions for pregnant women and new mothers we can hope for healthy descendants”, said today European Union Ambassador Michael Davenport.

“This project is an example of a good cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Serbia, European Union, Presevo municipality and Coordination Body. Women from Presevo and that area will give birth here in modern maternity unit that according to rules of the profession, ethic and humanity is not lagging behind European countries“, said Minister of Health Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

“This project is a result of continued work, in a view of improvement of conditions for women“, said president of Presevo municipality Ragmi Mustafa.

The construction of this out-of-hospital institution was funded by Ministry of Health, Coordination Body for Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja and Presevo municipality.

The European Union financially supports the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme – EU PROGRES, with €14.1 million, the Government of Switzerland with €2.5 million, while the Government of the Republic of Serbia allocates €1.5 million. EU PROGRES aims at supporting social-economic development of 25 municipalities in South and South West Serbia. More details about the Programme are available on the website www.euprogres.org.

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