Adequate use of the EU4Health programme will contribute to the improvement, affordability and resilience of the health care system. It will ensure that the line ministry and other relevant institutions have a systemic approach to improving health and resolving deficiencies, says the acting General Director of the Directorate for IPA and other projects and infrastructure in the Ministry of Health, Amra Pepić for Eurokaz. She says that Montenegro has already applied to four calls through this programme, with the focus of the register for cancer, digitalization and tele-medicine, mental health, and improvement of capacities of employees to participate in this programme.
Montenegro joined EU4Health programme in January. This programme is focused on the strengthening of health care systems in Europe and its budget for the period 2021-2027 amounts to 5.3 billion euros. To what extent is this important for Montenegro, and what does this mean for our health care system?
Since January 2024 Montenegro has been a signatory to the Agreement on EU4Health programme (Europe for Health). Signing of this Agreement and using this programme in an adequate way will certainly contribute to the improvement, affordability and resilience of the health care system. Europe for Health maps health care as a specific sector and, through adequate participation of the state of Montenegro, i.e. its Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions in the health care sector, a systemic approach will be taken in the fields of promoting health and eliminating deficiencies within the national health care systems that covid-19 additionally emphasized and that are included in the other general goal of the programme. A very important thing for Montenegro and for its fast response to threats in the health-care sector is certainly digitalization of the health care system that, faced with the challenges of today’s world became particularly prominent after the covid-19 crisis. Upgrading the capacities of staff and investing into employees is certainly one of the primary development directions for the Ministry. Participation in the program of this kind will contribute to the process of further integration of Montenegro into the European Union and will additionally accelerate the accession process. It is worth noting that, in addition to the EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Moldova and Ukraine, Montenegro is one of the signatories, as a country candidate for membership in the EU, which is a success.
Has Montenegro already applied with some projects for funds within the EU4Health programme? What do those project deal with and what is their worth?
Given the fact that this is the first year of participation in this programme, the Ministry of Health appointed relevant representatives in the programme committees and the national focal point. Montenegro used the opportunity and applied to four calls through this programme. Particularly interesting are the projects for register of cancer, digitalization and telemedicine, mental health, as well as upgrading of the capacity of staff for participation in this programme. We also organized an Info Day for relevant health care establishments, having the representatives of the programme informing us about the basics of the programme. We plan to organize similar Info Days in our country in the period ahead. Of course, we will have competitive calls for projects in the period to come. This program targets non-governmental sector through special calls too. The overall value of the programme is 5 billion euros and these are huge funds that can generate great opportunities. Partnerships with European Union Member States in the field of exchange of knowledge, skills and experience are also very important.
How difficult is it to meet the requirements for obtaining the funds within this programme since it includes EU Member States? Has Montenegro requested support from European partners in developing projects?
As I already mentioned, the Ministry of Health applied for direct grants as a competent authority. This means we will be included in the fields that we applied for, and those projects are mostly led by EU Member States – the coordinators that have more experience in these fields. In that way all the countries are gathered around the same idea and they prepare project application with indicators and results that are appropriate for the policy of the country, and, of course, for the goals of the European Union that are in this programme particularly related to: Health 2020 – European Health Strategy, European Commission Cancer Plan, Digital Health Strategy, Strategy for Pharmaceutical Industry, etc.
Is there a plan to apply for funds for improving infrastructure of our health care establishments?
Already at the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Health started negotiations with the European Banks – EBRD, EIB and CEB. The goal is to contract the amount of 85 million euros for capital projects and 20 million euros for purchase of equipment. After the health care establishments submitted their priorities, data about equipment were sent to the banks that are considering the proposed loans. It is very important that, as one of the results related to the equipment, we get a comprehensive analysis of the condition of equipment in all health care establishments. That will give us an overview of the current situation and define the goals of our future actions. As for infrastructural projects, there is a call for tenders for designing and constructing the General Hospital in Pljevlja, and we hope that next month there will be a call for tenders for the main design for the Health Care Centre in the “City Kvart” neighbourhood. There are no projects that are less important, all projects in the health care sector are equally important, but we are putting efforts into dealing with the challenges step by step. It should be mentioned that, through MEEP 2, the projects of energy efficiency in the health care establishments are being implemented. So far, nine of them have been adapted and the project is still going on. With the EBRD we are in the final stage of negotiating the projects of energy efficiency in the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, General Hospital Bijelo Polje and General Hospital Cetinje. With adequate infrastructure and equipment we definitely raise the level of health care.
Can membership in the EU4Health programme help Montenegro’s progress in the overall process of negotiations for membership in the European Union, and to what extent?
As a candidate country for membership in the European Union, Montenegro has access to various programmes and funds of the EU, including the programme EU4Health. Participation in this programme helps Montenegro upgrade its health care system and improve health care for its citizens, in line with European standards. Several aspects of the positive impact on Montenegro’s European integration could be underlined: improving the health care system in terms of accessing funds for improving health care infrastructure and digitalization of services, alignment with the legislation i.e. application of EU standards and rules in the health care sector, building the capacities for exchange of knowledge and training health professionals, strengthening resilience to crises in form of strengthening capacities for responding to health care crises like pandemics, as well as improving the health of population through implementation of the projects for prevention of diseases and promotion of health. All of this helps Montenegro to improve its health system, reach EU standards and show preparedness for membership in the Union.
By: Bojana MILIĆEVIĆ, RTCG