The European Union donated a brand new PCR device for testing for Covid-19 to the Tuzla University Clinical Centre on Tuesday, worth some €55,000, Fena news agency reported, adding that the new machine will contribute to the more efficient testing of persons suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus.
“The European Union is Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest and most loyal partner. As for the fight against Covid-19, we have invested about seven million Euros since March for medical equipment that will be provided to all health care institutions in the country,” said the head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Bosnia, Richard Masa.
The director of the University Clinical Center, Vahid Jusufovic, said that this is a very important donation.
“Some 20 days ago we received a state-of-the-art general anaesthesia machine. This new device will not only be used for general diagnostics, but also for diagnostics of other diseases. Right now we are doing some 300 tests for Covid-19, and with this device, our capacity will be increased to 450,” Jusufovic said.
He pointed out that patients from the outpatient clinic located at the Infectious Diseases Clinic have the priority when making tests. These are patients who are in a very serious condition and have clinical symptoms of Covid-19. Their swabs, he explained, are taken immediately.
Aid delivered to Mostar and Trebinje hospitals as well
On Monday, Head of the Delegation of the European Union and EU Special Representative in Bosnia Ambassador Johann Sattler delivered medical equipment to hospitals in Mostar and Trebinje, as part of ongoing EU assistance to save lives in the Bosnia and help medical professionals across the country improve patient care.
“The assistance package worth €7 million is for equipment to fight the crisis, and the second, equally important is to help the most affected businesses which is especially relevant for the tourism sector here in Herzegovina. Apart from the assistance, it is very important for us to show that we consider you a future part of the EU,” Ambassador Sattler said.
