EU delivers third instalment of its €5 million emergency assistance in support of healthcare system in Kosovo

Gazeta Express

05/06/2020 13:25

The European Union Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative delivered Friday 10 ambulance vehicles, 100 hospital beds and other medical equipment to the Kosovo Ministry of Health in support of the health system. The shipment also includes 150 infusion pumps, 127 patient monitors, and 7,000 litres of hand disinfection substance, the EU Office said in a statement.

The total value of this donation is 1.17 million euro, and it is part of the EU assistance to Kosovo to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The items have been procured through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). “I am pleased to have another delivery of medical equipment to Kosovo health sector, which we are confident will serve Kosovo people both during the COVID-19 pandemic but also in the years to come”, said Nataliya Apostolova, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative.

 ‘Within the next few weeks, we also expect to deliver 30 intensive care unit ventilators, additional medical equipment, more hospital beds, and 6,000 sets of COVID-19 testing kits, which will conclude the planned amount of EUR 5 million worth of emergency medical equipment and supplies donated by the European Union.”

Ambassador Apostolova praised Kosovo authorities, medical and laboratory staff for their exemplary work during the COVID-19 pandemic. She thanked the Kosovo people for respecting restrictions and called on all to continue to be cautious and respect the recommendations of health experts.

In April and May, the EU delivered to Kosovo 1.6 million different protective medical gloves, 60,000 FFP2 respiratory masks, 60,000 disposable coveralls, 23,000 face shields, 3,000 protective goggles, 19,000 litres of hand disinfectants, 10,000 sets of single use bed sheets and 50 boxes for transporting laboratory samples, delivered in 10 trucks through the UNOPS. Apart from this direct assistance to the health sector, the EU is also preparing around EUR 63 million as mid-term measures for socio-economic grant assistance as well as around EUR 100 million loan as macro-economic assistance to Kosovo. /GazetaExpress/