During the summer heat wave, adequate room temperature is crucial for ensuring that essential health services such as preventive check-ups and immunization can be provided to every child, as well as for the safe storage of drugs, vaccines and medical devices. For this reason, EU and UNICEF provided 11 air-conditioning units to the paediatrics department of the Primary Health Centre of Podgorica.

 “I am grateful to the EU and UNICEF for their continuous support. This assistance comes in just the right moment, as it will enable us to continue providing essential health services to all families, including immunizations, during the ongoing heat wave”, said the Director of the Primary Health Centre of Podgorica dr Danilo Jokić.

The equipment is funded by EU through the project "Strengthening health system resilience and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and epidemiological risks" which is implemented by UNICEF. Through the initiative, over the last three years, significant investments were made to strengthen Montenegro’s health system’s infrastructure, as well as the knowledge and practices of the health workers.

“It is very important for children to have access to adequate health care protection while being kept safe from the heat wave. We are glad that we could provide this donation swiftly through our partnership with UNICEF and help the Podgorica Health Centre and its staff to continue providing the necessary care during the summer months,” said tEU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa.

Globally, UNICEF is the leading UN agency in providing support for ensuring that health services are reaching every child regardless of the place and climate conditions.

 “For children to be examined and for vaccines to be effective during the summer heat, adequate environmental temperature is needed in the health centre. We are happy to be able to make this urgent donation to ensure optimal conditions for the continuous health protection of every child and adolescent during the summer”, UNICEF Montenegro Representative Juan Santander pointed out.

In the coming period, UNICEF and EU will continue supporting Montenegro to recover from the pandemics and make the health system ready to providing quality health care to every child in all circumstances.