Switzerland donated 30’250 sets of personal protection equipment worth around 290,000 BAM for seven Primary Health Centers and nine Reception and Transit Centers in Una-Sana Canton, Sarajevo Canton, and Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. The Red Cross of the Federation BiH and the Danish Refugee Council will further distribute the protection equipment and the hygienic items to PHC’s in Bosanska Krupa, Bihać, Bosanski Petrovac, Velika Kladuša, Cazin, Ključ and the municipality Stari Grad in Canton Sarajevo, as well as to the migrant centers Bira, Borići, Lipa, Miral, Sedra, Ušivak, Blažuj, Delijaš and Salakovac.
A donation handover was attended by the Director of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbara Dätwyler Scheuer; the Director of the Public Institution Health Center of Canton Sarajevo, Dr. Muhamed Ahmić; Advisor to the Federal Ministry of Health, dr. Marina Bera; Secretary General of the Red Cross of the Federation of BiH, Namik Hodžić; and Program Manager of the DRC BiH Verica Rečević.
“Today’s donation is a continuation of Switzerland’s support to local institutions in meeting the health needs of those who are most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis. I am talking about those women and men who are working every day at the front line in health facilities and in migrant camps. They are the real heroes in this crisis. The protection gear that I handed over today will reduce the risk for these professionals from getting infected themselves.” said the Director of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbara Dätwyler Scheuer.
She emphasized the dedicated support that Switzerland provided to the already overstretched health care system in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fight against COVID-19. The support includes so far the procurement of vital medical equipment such as respirators and COVID-19 diagnostic tests, protective gear for hospitals throughout the country as well as equipment for better communication between health professionals. “Switzerland has overall contributed more than 2.7 million BAM to respond quickly to the pressing social, health and economic needs and challenges caused by COVID-19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Poor and vulnerable people who have been hit hardest by the crisis, were also supported through local organizations, stated Director Dätwyler Scheuer.
Having been engaged in the health sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the past 20 years, the Swiss Embassy immediately stepped up to support its long-term partners, primarily those organizations which work directly with health care facilities and health care professionals. Switzerland will continue to address the specific needs of local population and migrants including those related to COVID-19 through its ongoing partnership with the Danish Refugee Council, Caritas Switzerland, Red Cross of the Federation BiH and other partners throughout the country.
