New social measure of the Municipality of Bar: 21 women will receive a subsidy for prenatal care, second call by the end of the year

Twenty-one women from Bar have been eligible for subsidies from the Municipality of Bar to co-finance the costs of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), as part of a unique support measure for expectant mothers and their families implemented by the Bar local government, with the allocation of budget funds in the amount of 10.905 euros for this purpose.

This was announced by the Municipality of Bar and added that, as the first and currently only local government in Montenegro to subsidize prenatal testing in this way, they continue to implement socially responsible measures in the field of social protection aimed at creating a safer and better environment for starting and developing a family.

The above subsidies were approved to all beneficiaries who met the prescribed criteria based on the announced public call, which allocated a total of 30.000,00 euros from the local budget to co-finance NIPT costs that will be incurred within a period of nine months after the allocation of funds under this public call, and based on the attached preliminary invoice, as well as for NIPT costs incurred in a period not longer than 12 months prior to the publication of the call.

Vice President of the Municipality of Bar and President of the Commission for the Allocation of Social Subsidies for Co-financing the Costs of NIPT, Tanja Spičanović, emphasized that this measure has multiple significance.

"Subsidies for non-invasive prenatal testing have great health and social significance because they reduce the financial burden on pregnant women when accessing modern prenatal diagnostics. The price of the test often represents a significant expense for the personal and family budget of pregnant women, so this subsidy makes it easier for them to access this type of service. This measure is part of a broader pro-natal policy through which the local government shows support for the family, reproductive health and prenatal care," said Spičanović.

The Municipality of Bar will, as they concluded, issue a second public call for the award of these subsidies by the end of the year in order to provide the largest possible number of beneficiaries with the support of the local government within this program.