Maternity Ward in Preševo Equipped with the Support from Europe and the Government of Serbia
31 January 2014, PreševoHead of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, Michael Davenport, handed over the equipment for the outpatient maternity ward in Preševo that was procured with the funds from the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme EU PROGRES.
The maternity ward in Preševo was closed in 1989, so women from this area had to travel even up to 70 kilometres to Vranje, Skoplje, Gnjilane, Priština or Kumanovo for the purpose of giving birth. In order for the new maternity ward to start working again the incubator, ultrasound device, sterilizer, defibrillators and other equipment worth EUR 255,000 were donated through the EU PROGRES. According to estimates, around 400 women could deliver here every year.
“The construction of this maternity ward was one of the priority projects for the 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, the Coordination Body, local government and foreign donors can be well implemented. Only with good health care and quality conditions for pregnant women and new mothers can we hope for healthy descendants,” said today the EU Ambassador, Michael Davenport.
“This project is an example of a good cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the European Union, municipality of Preševo and the Coordination Body. Women from Preševo and its surrounding will be giving birth here in modern maternity ward that is not lagging behind the European countries according to all rules of profession, ethic and humanity,” said Slavica Đukić Dejanović, Minister of Health.
“This project is a result of continuous work aimed at improvement of conditions for women“, said Ragmi Mustafa, the Mayor of Preševo.
The construction of this outpatient institution was funded by the Ministry of Health, Coordination Body for Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa and the municipality of Preševo.