Ready for "Pfizer", it just has to arrive

The "Montefarm" health institution provided freezers for deep freezing to store the "Pfizer Bayontek" vaccine, which requires a temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius, and they are ready to receive it.

This was announced to "Vijesta" from that institution.

"Montefarm" said that for three decades they have had a chamber for storing medicines that are kept at a temperature of two to eight degrees, so yesterday they welcomed a valuable donation of 30.000 doses of the Chinese vaccine "Sinofarm".

"Also, we have vehicles with thermo-king, which are distributed throughout the territory of Montenegro and which ensure the continuity of the necessary regime of the so-called cold chain", they answered from this institution.

"Montefarm" explained that the Russian vaccine "Sputnik V" requires a somewhat different regimen and must be stored and distributed at a temperature of minus 19 to minus 21 degrees Celsius.

"Freezers for their central storage, as well as mobile freezers, are already in operation and distribution is proceeding according to the plan of the Institute for Public Health. All 2 donated doses have been delivered, and today we are finishing the distribution of the purchased 000 doses of the 'Sputnik V' vaccine", they said from this institution.

"Montefarm" reiterated that they guarantee the safe reception, storage and distribution of all current vaccines against covid-19.

A contingent of 30.000 doses of the "Sinofarm" vaccine arrived in Montenegro yesterday, and the donation was awaited at the premises of "Montefarm" by Minister of Health Jelena Borovinić Bojović and Chinese Ambassador Liu Đin.

Borovinić Bojović said yesterday at the session of the Committee for Health, Labor and Social Welfare that it was agreed with Liu Djin that another 201.200 doses of the Chinese vaccine should arrive in Montenegro by the end of April. She said that a total of 200.000 doses of the "Sputnik V" vaccine had been agreed with Russia and that they were expecting a second contingent by the end of the week. She explained that they are waiting for an answer regarding the vaccines from "Pfizer", which has stopped production and distribution on a global level, and with which they have preliminary agreements regarding 150.000 doses.

All current measures against the coronavirus remain in force, while special ones, which are valid for the municipalities of Budva, Tivat and Herceg Novi, are also being introduced in Ulcinj.

This was said yesterday by the director of the Institute for Public Health (IJZ), Igor Galić.

Borovinić Bojović said that the vaccination process is proceeding according to plan, but that the workload of the health system is at a high level, so the capacity for covid patients has been increased.

"30 beds for covid patients have been created in the Clinical Center, and the same number have been made available in the Nikšić General Hospital. In the hospitals in Kotor and Bar, the installation of oxygen stations is in the final stage in order to get more beds," she said.

The Minister of Finance and Social Welfare, Milojko Spajić, assessed that the key message should be the implementation of measures, which is the most important thing at this moment.

He believes that the coronavirus pandemic is both a financial and an economic problem, and that health and the economy must be taken into account at the same time.

"Each individual, including me and the prime minister, should show by example the seriousness of the situation," Spajić said, stressing that he is optimistic "that we will have the problem solved by the summer."

State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Janko Odović said that the Government decided yesterday to tighten the control of the implementation of measures, with the help of members of the Police Directorate (UP), employees of the Directorate for Inspection Affairs (UIP) and the Army of Montenegro.

He said that three teams will be formed - the first team will consist of UP members who will control the application of measures in public areas and outdoors, such as wearing a mask and maintaining distance.

The second team will consist of representatives of the UIP and UP, who will control compliance with the measures indoors - in public institutions, business entities, catering facilities, and Odović said that in case of non-compliance with the measures, the most severe forms of punishment will be used.

He said that the third team will consist of members of the Army, who will be deployed in the most critical cities, at checkpoints where they will remind citizens to respect the measures, talk to them, warn them, distribute masks...

8 people died as a result of the coronavirus infection, and 625 new cases of covid-19 were registered

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić said yesterday that the complete closure of Montenegro will follow if the measures do not have an effect in the next 10 days.

He assessed that the epidemiological situation is worrisome, and the health system is at the limit of endurance.

Krivokapić apologized to the citizens for not wearing a protective mask for a certain period of time.

"The reason lies in the fact that I have antibodies, but that does not absolve me of the responsibility that we all have to express. In order for us all to care for each other, we have to respect the measures, without exception", concluded Krivokapić.

The proposal to increase the salaries of medics was supported

The Minister of Health said at the session that yesterday she gave a positive opinion on the proposal of MP Branka Bošnjak to increase the salaries of doctors, that is, that health workers be recognized by the law on wages in the public sector.

She pointed out that the entire healthcare system should be rewarded and that additional funds should be allocated for salaries, as well as that she sent the proposal to the Ministry of Finance.

Borovinić Bojović assessed that the health system showed special empathy and responsibility, as well as that health workers have special merits for what they worked hard and unreservedly during all these months of the coronavirus epidemic.

Spajić said yesterday that he supports raising the salaries of healthcare workers.

"As a first measure, a one-time payment of 250 euros should be made to all workers directly involved in the fight against covid. That money will be paid out in March, so you can count on it. We know that it is a minor matter and that it will not mean that much, but the message is that the Government is thinking of you", Spajić pointed out.