OTP Bank and UNICEF Provide Two New Incubators for Zemun Clinical Hospital Centre

Belgrade, 5 June 2026 – The Zemun Clinical Hospital Centre has received two new incubators through the partnership between OTP Bank and UNICEF, helping to strengthen neonatal healthcare and provide additional medical support to premature and other medically vulnerable newborns.

In partnership with UNICEF, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia has been investing for years in strengthening neonatal healthcare through the procurement of modern equipment, the introduction of international standards, and the continuous training of healthcare professionals. Thanks to these efforts, neonatal mortality rates in Serbia have steadily declined, from 4.63 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 2.89 in 2024.

The donation was made as part of the strategic partnership between OTP Bank and UNICEF, aimed at strengthening the healthcare system’s capacity to provide quality care for newborns from the very beginning of life. More than 1,500 births take place at Zemun Clinical Hospital Centre each year, and one in every ten newborns requires additional medical support immediately after birth.

“For our hospital and our patients, it is extremely important to have access to modern equipment that enables the highest standards of care and treatment. These incubators will significantly strengthen our capacity to provide timely and quality support to newborns who need it most. I would like to thank the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, UNICEF and OTP Bank for their partnership and trust. Only through this kind of cooperation can we continue strengthening Serbia’s healthcare system and ensure that the most advanced healthcare is available to every child and every family,” said Prof. Dr Dragoš Stojanović, Director of Zemun Clinical Hospital Centre.

Marija Popović, Member of the Executive Board of OTP Bank responsible for the Corporate Division, highlighted that investing in children’s health means investing in the future of society.

“At OTP Bank, we believe that true leadership means not only delivering business results, but also taking responsibility for building strong foundations for the future. We demonstrate that responsibility through concrete actions, such as today’s donation of two incubators to Zemun Hospital. We stand with deep respect alongside the doctors and healthcare professionals who care for the most vulnerable lives – premature babies. Our partnership with UNICEF is built on shared values and a commitment to children. Today’s handover is part of a broader collaboration through which we are driving long-term, sustainable change, with a clear focus on the needs of future generations. That is why it is important for us to continue strengthening the healthcare system and contributing to lasting improvements that will provide every new generation with a better start in life,” said Popović.

Speaking about the importance of modern equipment in neonatal care, Prim. Dr Tomislav Stefanović, Head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, stressed that the first days of life are particularly important for babies who require intensive medical support.

“Most babies in our maternity ward begin life without complications. Staying with their mother, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding are all they need. However, a certain number of newborns who are born prematurely or experience other health complications require additional medical support, such as temperature regulation, oxygen therapy or phototherapy, for which incubators are essential. Thanks to these new incubators, we will be even better prepared to give every newborn the opportunity for a healthy and safe start in life,” said Stefanović.

The new incubators will contribute to improving the quality and availability of neonatal care for the youngest patients and further strengthen the capacity of healthcare institutions to respond to the needs of babies requiring intensive medical support.

“OTP Bank’s donation represents an important contribution to strengthening neonatal healthcare in Serbia. Although Serbia has made significant progress in improving newborn health, continued investment remains essential to ensure that every baby has access to quality care from the very first day of life. We are grateful to OTP Bank for a partnership that demonstrates how the private sector, healthcare institutions and UNICEF can work together to strengthen systems and create better opportunities for every child,” said Deyana Kostadinova, UNICEF Representative in Serbia.

The partnership between UNICEF and OTP Bank is focused on strengthening the healthcare system so that every premature baby in Serbia can receive urgent care and support, regardless of where they are born. In addition to the two incubators provided to Zemun Clinical Hospital Centre, this collaboration has enabled the Health Centre in Pirot to receive a vehicle for its home-visiting nursing service, while later this year the Neonatal Unit of the University Clinical Centre Kragujevac will be equipped with a mobile X-ray machine for premature babies.

With the support of the Ministry of Health and in partnership with responsible companies, UNICEF continues to support improvements in maternal and child healthcare across Serbia, helping to ensure that every child gets the best start in life. Since 2018, UNICEF has invested nearly EUR 1 million in strengthening neonatal healthcare in Serbia.