Finishing works on the dialysis ward within the health care centre in Lebane have kicked off. The ward is crucially important not only for patients from Lebane, but also for those hailing from the neighbouring municipalities of Medvedja and Bojnik who suffer from kidney diseases.
All finishing construction works, electrical installations, ventilation and air conditioning installation are being carried out with the help of the European Union and the Swiss Federal Council, which have set aside RSD5 million through the European Progress development programme. The Municipality of Lebane has also earmarked the same amount of money from the municipal budget.
“Our patients will no longer have to travel to Leskovac in order to undergo dialysis. They will soon have access to this much needed medical service here in Lebane. Also, we will be able to ease the strain on ambulances as we need them for other medical interventions,” Vojin Trajkovic, the Director of Lebane health care centre, said.
With the help of the European Union and the Swiss Federal Council, the health care centre will also receive some of the medical equipment for the future dialysis ward, including a defibrillator, an ECG device, a patient monitor, eight beds and a dry sterilizer, which will allow the ward to work at full capacity. Also, two doctors and eight nurses will undergo necessary training.
“Recognising the importance of the project, we have set aside substantial funding from our municipal budget to the tune of RSD5 million in order to finally complete the ward,” Zoran Ilic, the President of the municipality, said. He added that the municipality had established a successful cooperation with the European PROGRES implementing the projects funded by the EU and the Swiss Federal Council which contribute to improving the quality of life of local people.
The works, which should be completed in three months, are being carried out by the Lebane-based construction company Invest Produkt, which was selected in the public procurement procedure announced by the municipality of Lebane.
The European Union and the Government of Switzerland will support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, which contributes to the sustainable development of the South and South West Serbia, with a total of EUR24.46 million. Approved projects will be aimed at strengthening local administration, creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improving the implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. The programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The municipalities included in the programme are as follows: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, as well as Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka and Knjazevac in South East Serbia.).
