UNICEF and OTP Bank provide mobile X-ray machine for the Neonatology Centre at University Clinical Centre Kragujevac

Kragujevac, 6 October 2026 – The Neonatology Centre of the Paediatrics Clinic at University Clinical Centre Kragujevac today received a new mobile X-ray machine, which will enable faster and safer diagnostics for preterm babies and babies with health conditions.

The machine, worth RSD 12 million, was funded through the joint contributions of companies and many individual donors who regularly support UNICEF’s work, with OTP Bank donating half of the amount required.

The mobile X-ray machine enables imaging to be carried out directly beside a baby’s cot or incubator, without moving the baby. For preterm and sick babies, for whom any movement can pose an additional risk, this means safer and faster diagnostics, timely treatment decisions and more effective monitoring of their health.

For years, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, in partnership with UNICEF, has worked to strengthen neonatal health care through the procurement of modern equipment, the application of international standards and continuous training for health workers. Close to 150 professionals working in neonatal intensive care units and maternity wards have been trained to support family-oriented developmental care and breastfeeding. Particular attention is given to integrating developmental care into everyday clinical practice and involving parents in the care of newborn babies, including through skin-to-skin contact and enabling parents to stay with their child in intensive care. Progress is also reflected in the decline in neonatal mortality – from 4.63 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 2.91 in 2025.

Prof. Dr Slobodan Milisavljević, Acting Director of the University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, highlighted the importance of the long-standing partnership with UNICEF, which has enabled the donation of state-of-the-art equipment and directly contributed to higher-quality and safer care for the youngest patients.

“University Clinical Centre Kragujevac provides care for preterm and sick babies from across central and western Serbia, which is why modern equipment is extremely important to us. The mobile X-ray machine will enable our doctors to carry out diagnostic imaging quickly and safely, directly at the child’s bedside, without the risks involved in moving our most vulnerable patients. I would like to thank UNICEF, OTP Bank, the companies and all the citizens who recognised the needs of our hospital. Partnerships like these show that, by working together, we can strengthen the health system and ensure quality health care for every child,” said Milisavljević.

Zorana Aleksić, member of the Executive Board of OTP Bank responsible for retail banking, emphasised that the bank sees support for children’s health as a long-term responsibility towards the communities in which it operates.

“We believe that long-term responsibility towards the community is demonstrated through partnerships that respond to the real needs of families and the health system. That is why, together with UNICEF, we support initiatives that bring concrete and lasting benefits to health facilities, health workers and families. Following the donation of a vehicle for the home-visiting service in Pirot and two incubators for Clinical Hospital Centre Zemun, today we are providing Clinical Centre Kragujevac with a mobile X-ray machine that will enable faster and safer diagnostics for preterm and medically vulnerable babies. It is important to us to invest in equipment that will be used every day and provide the youngest patients with timely, quality care. We believe that real change is built through concrete steps that improve children’s health care today and, in the long term, strengthen support for families and the community as a whole,” said Aleksić.

Ljubica Mijailović, mother of twins Petra and Jovana, who were born at 30 weeks in Kragujevac, attended the handover. Jovana weighed 1,340 grams at birth, while Petra weighed just 960 grams. From the moment they were born, both girls fought to survive, supported by their parents and the doctors and staff at the Neonatology Centre.

“From the very first moment, my girls and I were in safe hands. At such times, the expertise of the doctors and the way everyone treats us as parents provide an invaluable sense of reassurance. I am glad that they are also receiving modern equipment for their work, and I am confident that better working conditions will help make every fight fought here a successful one,” said their mother, Ljubica. Petra and Jovana are now two and a half years old and attend nursery, where they play with other children their age.

Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Serbia, thanked the partners, companies and citizens whose donations made the purchase of the machine possible and highlighted the importance of continued investment in neonatal health care.

“I am pleased that one of my first field visits as UNICEF Representative in Serbia is to the Neonatology Centre in Kragujevac. Every day, this Centre demonstrates how important the expertise of health workers, modern equipment, and parents’ presence and contact with their child – including while the child is in intensive care – are for the lives and health of preterm and sick babies. Serbia has made significant progress in reducing mortality and improving developmental outcomes for newborn babies, and it is important that we continue investing in quality neonatal health care across the country. This mobile X-ray machine is a good example of how much we can achieve when we work together. I am grateful to OTP Bank, the companies that support UNICEF and all the citizens whose donations helped this equipment reach those who need it most – babies and the health workers who care for them,” said de Bruin.

The handover was also attended by Branislav Živanović and Danica Tešović from Danieli Systec Engineering, whose company contributed in raising funds for the purchase of the x-ray machine.

The donation was made as part of the strategic partnership between UNICEF and OTP Bank, which is focused on strengthening the health system so that every preterm baby in Serbia receives timely support and quality care, regardless of where they are born.

With the support of the Ministry of Health and in partnership with companies and citizens, UNICEF continues to contribute to improving health care for mothers and children across Serbia, so that every child has the best possible start in life. Since 2018, UNICEF has invested more than €1 million in improving neonatal health care in Serbia, including around €400,000 for the Neonatology Centre in Kragujevac.