Closing ceremony of the Twinning light project: "Strengthening National Institutional Capacities in the Field of Substance of Human Origin (SoHO) to Improve the Safety of Blood in Transfusion and Transplantation"

Through strengthening capacities of the Directorate for biomedicine of the Ministry of Health, Republic of Serbia, as the National Competent Authority, the quality and safety in the field of Substance of Human Origins (organs, tissues, cells, blood) has been enhanced in order to ensure the highest possible level of protection of public health. Experts from Croatian Ministry of Health together with renowned Croatian and Spanish experts in the area of transfusion and transplantation medicine from various institutions (blood and tissue banks, hospitals) have transferred knowledge and provided support to their Serbian counterparts.

The implementation of the project has started on 31 August 2017. During implementation, 23 activities have been completed and all mandatory results have been achieved, which can be summarized in three key goals: 

  1. Analysis of the current situation in the area of SoHO in the Republic of Serbia has been conducted and main gaps, priorities and recommendations have been established.
  2. Key strategic goals and Action plan have been defined, Roadmap document has been prepared.
  3. Priority equipment has been defined, technical specification and tender documentation for procurement have been prepared.

At the Closing ceremony, held at Palace of Serbia, on 23 February 2018, Mr Vladimir Đukić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr Gordan Bakota, Ambassador of Croatia in Serbia, Ms Mateja Norčič Stamčar, Deputy Ambassador of EU in Serbia, have addressed the participants. All speakers emphasized the importance of the project, the excellent cooperation between project partners and the high level of quality of the achieved results.

Member State Project Leader Ms Mirela Bušić, National Transplant Coordinator, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia and Beneficiary Country Project Leader Ms Nada Vasiljević, Assistant Director of the Directorate for biomedicine, Ministry of Health of Republic of Serbia have presented the results of the project and future challenges in the area of SoHO in the Republic of Serbia. Visibility materials were distributed to all participants and a short reception followed after the event.

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