Podgorica, 10 September 2020 –  The latest donation of the European Union, worth more than 200,000 euros, containing personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, was delivered to the health system of Montenegro. This batch includes 8,000 gowns, 332,000 overshoes, 457,700 surgical caps and 600,000 surgical gloves. The donation is part of the European Union's project for emergency support to Montenegro in the fight against Covid-19, worth a total of 3 million euros, implemented by UNDP in Montenegro. Since the beginning of the project, from April until today, a total of 100 medical ventilators, 10 modern X-ray devices and almost 2 million pieces of personal protective equipment have been delivered, including surgical masks, gloves, caps, gowns, aprons, goggles, overshoes, etc.

At the official handover ceremony, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, ambassador Oana Cristina Popa emphasised that today’s donation is yet another proof of the European Union’s commitment to stand by Montenegro in difficult times, including by helping its health services to ensure an effective response to the COVID-19 epidemic. “Since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, the European Union has made it clear that Montenegro is not alone in this fight and that it can count on the EU’s solidarity and support to ease the fallout of this crisis” said ambassador Popa. She reminded that today’s delivery is a part of the European Union’s 53 million euros support package for Montenegro’s health sector and other sectors affected most by the coronavirus crisis. “Today, by delivering vital protective equipment for Montenegrin health professionals, we continue to prove that solidarity is not an empty word, but a core European value” ambassador Popa concluded.

On behalf of the National Coordination Body,  director of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Dr. Jevto Eraković has expressed gratitude to the European Union for their support and aid that they have been providing to Montenegro from the first day of the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic. “This support was extremely valuable and always timely. It’s also the case with this last batch, given the rising number of registered cases of infections and COVID-19 patients” Dr. Eraković emphasised. He said that we can be very satisfied with the response of the Montenegrin health system and that the capacities of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro and other institutions can fully respond to all the challenges ahead. “At the same time, the message to all citizens is that they should adhere to all measures recommended by the National Coordination Body. By following these recommendations, we will be able to fight this virus more easily” said Dr. Eraković, while also thanking the partners from the EU Delegation and the UNDP for the successful and quality cooperation.

Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro reminded that this is the fifth batch of medical and personal protective equipment, that was provided within the EU-funded project. “Over the past few months, we delivered to the health sector: 100 medical ventilators, 10 digital x-rays, and today’s donation brings the total number of personal protective equipment to almost two million pieces. This proves the strength of the partnership between the EU, UNDP and national counterparts” Gasparikova said. She pointed out that the people of Montenegro already demonstrated in the first wave that epidemic can be contained by responsible behaviour, self-discipline and respecting the measures. “I would like to call for all citizens to continue making minor adjustments to their behaviour and contribute with their responsibility so that Montenegro can overcome the challenges and put the epidemic again under control. That’s why my message to the citizens is very simple: distance, hands, mask!” said Gasparikova.  

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The Delegation of the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Montenegro signed a contract for procuring necessary medical equipment and personal protective equipment for the health system worth a total of 3 million euros in early April. The project is funded by the EU funds while the procurement is being carried out by UNDP in close cooperation with the relevant institutions.

Contacts for the media:

Vuk Vujnović, Press and Information Officer, Eu Delegation to Montenegro

Mob: +382 69 126 606, E-mail: Vuk.VUJNOVIC@eeas.europa.eu

Ivana Vujović, Communications Analyst, UNDP in Montenegro

Mob: + 382 69 681 222, E-mail: ivana.vujovic@undp.org

Vatroslav Belan, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System 

Mob: + 382 67 344 564, E-mail: vatroslav.belan@gsv.gov.me