Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said he was happy to learn Serbia had joined the main programme for the implementation of EU health strategy which, according to him, was about the economic dimension and economic consequences of either good or bad policy in the area of health.
At the conference “National info day about 2014-2020 European health programme,” Ambassador Davenport said the EU was very supportive of Serbian health sector and reminded that the Union had already invested significant funds in that area through pre-accession funds.
It is clear that further development will depend on personnel at all levels, but the programme will certainly allow for better cooperation with colleagues from the region and better cross-border cooperation in all areas of health, Davenport said.
By joining the 2014-2020 European health programme, Serbia became equal partner with EU Member States, said Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar and added this was an acknowledgement of efforts made to ensure a more efficient health care system to Serbian citizens.
Loncar said Serbia waited six years to join the programme which developed mechanisms to address the lack of resources and facilitates the introduction of innovation in health.
“Serbia is now getting support for its health sector in the process of European integration and alignment with European standards in public health and will also receive more funding through projects,” Loncar said.
“Health policy is a national matter, but due to common issues in the area of health, EU Member States also share the same responsibilities. The idea behind the programme is to find solutions applicable in all countries in situations such prevention of pandemics across national borders,” said Acting Director of EC Consumers, health, agriculture and food executive agency Jaques Remacle. The EU is investing in research programmes and strongly advocating innovation within health systems, Remacle said and explained the Agency he is in charge of was responsible for the approval and funding of projects.
