UNICEF delivers ventilators and flowmeters to health facilities in Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia, 8 May 2020 - UNICEF delivered the first four ventilators, out of a total of 50, procured for health care institutions in Serbia. Two ventilators were delivered to the Bezanijska kosa Clinical Hospital Center, and the remaining two will go to the Tirsova University Children's Clinic and the Institute for the Health Protection of Mother and Child.

“UNICEF has many years of experience in responding to crisis situations and providing the necessary assistance when it is most needed. We have a network of more than 1,000 medical suppliers, the biggest humanitarian warehouse in the world, ongoing partnerships and great supporters on whom we can count on. The procurement of 50 new-generation ventilators and other medical equipment for the health system in Serbia would not have been possible without the support of the private sector and Ana Ivanovic, UNICEF’s National Ambassador. The private sector in Serbia has shown great solidarity and has been one of the top five most responsive private sectors in the world with regards to UNICEF’s fundraising appeal in the fight against COVID-19,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Representative in Serbia.

The procurement of 50 new-generation ventilators and other medical equipment for the health system in Serbia would not have been possible without the support of the private sector and Ana Ivanovic, UNICEF’s National Ambassador.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Serbia, Dr. Zlatibor Loncar, thanked UNICEF for the donation. “We are very grateful to UNICEF for making sure that Serbia and our health system receive this donation. This is the first delivery of a total of 50 ventilators that will arrive in Serbia by the end of May, and the value is more than a US$ 1,000,000. These are the latest generation of ventilators, both for invasive and non-invasive therapy and can be used to treat both children and adults. We are working with UNICEF in other areas as well, including immunization and in other areas. I’m grateful for the good cooperation and partnership with the entire UNICEF team.”

Evita Infinity V500 ventilators, purchased from the German manufacturer Draeger, can be used for both children and adults, and are compatible with the needs of the health system in Serbia.

The procurement of 50 ventilators was made possible by donations from Ana Ivanovic,  UNICEF’s National Ambassador, and the following companies: PhiAcademy, Nordeus, Vojvodjanska Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, I&F McCann Group, Petite Geneve Petrović doo, Mol Serbia, Continental Automotive Serbia, Recyclers Association of Serbia, EXLRT, Execom doo, Kalemegdan Development, Prozone doo, Eko Helenik, Vega IT Sourcing, Schneider Electric DMS NS LLC Novi Sad, Multikom, and Telegroup.

Last week, UNICEF delivered 20 flowmeters to the Zemun Clinical Hospital Center, the Zvezdara Clinical Hospital Center, the Banjica Institute for Orthopedic and Surgical Diseases and the Vojvodina Clinical Center, while 10 flow meters were delivered to the Dragisa Misovic Clinical Center in mid-April.

The next delivery of ventilators is expected by mid-May and will be distributed in accordance with the needs of health institutions.