A contract worth 27 million euros has been signed for the purchase of medical equipment.

As part of the Loan Agreement signed yesterday by the Government of Montenegro with the European Investment Bank (EIB), the total value of which is 252 million euros, a loan arrangement of exceptional importance for the Montenegrin healthcare system was concluded, providing 27 million euros for the purchase of modern medical equipment.

As announced by the Ministry of Health (MZD), this is one of the most significant investments in the modernization of Montenegrin healthcare in recent years, which will enable additional strengthening of the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities of public healthcare institutions. This investment creates conditions for a more balanced development of the healthcare system and for providing better quality, more efficient and more accessible healthcare to citizens in all parts of Montenegro.

"In this regard, the procurement of a total of 341 items of medical equipment for public health institutions throughout Montenegro is planned, which will cover the entire health system - no health institution will be left out of this investment cycle, which represents an additional confirmation of the commitment to ensuring equal access to quality, timely and modern health care for all citizens, regardless of their place of residence," the statement said.

Of particular importance, the Ministry of Health added, within this investment is the procurement of several CT scanners, which are planned for the Nikšić General Hospital, the Bijelo Polje General Hospital, the Kotor Clinical Hospital Center, as well as for the organizational unit in Meljine. These funds will also finance the procurement of a magnetic resonance imaging device for the Kotor Clinical Hospital Center, which represents a historic step forward for the healthcare system of the coastal region, since it will be the first device of this kind in a public healthcare institution in the Bay of Kotor.

Significant investments are also planned for the Clinical Center of Montenegro, where the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic will receive the most modern ultrasound devices, while the Center for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation plans to purchase modern robotic equipment, which will further improve the capacities for diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of patients, the Ministry of Health said.

The Bijelo Polje General Hospital, as stated, plans to purchase specialized surgical equipment for cataract surgeries, while the Nikšić General Hospital will receive modern ophthalmological equipment for surgeries on the posterior segment of the eye.

A very important segment of the project also relates to strengthening primary health care and emergency medical care. It is planned to purchase X-ray machines for Tuzi, Zeta, Plav, Kolašin, Ulcinj and other municipalities, as well as ultrasound machines and digital mammograms for health centers in Mojkovac, Herceg Novi and Bijelo Polje, as well as field ambulances for municipalities in the north of Montenegro.

The Minister of Health of Montenegro, Vojislav Šimun, emphasized that this contract represents an investment in the long-term stability and quality of the healthcare system.

"This investment represents an investment in the future of Montenegrin healthcare with the aim of its decentralization and diversification. With this act, we are creating the conditions to provide patients in every part of Montenegro with faster and more precise diagnostics, more efficient treatment and healthcare that is fully aligned with the highest European standards. Our goal is a strong, modern and more accessible healthcare system, in which the patient is at the center of all policies and activities," said Minister Šimun.