Thanks to the WHO and the German Government, Kosovar health services received medical supplies worth 2.17 million EUR to cope with the pandemic. The German- financed and WHO coordinated and shipped medical equipment was distributed to the
Hospital and University Clinical Center and will enable healthcare workers to provide proper care to those suffering from COVID-19.
The medical equipment contains:
- 5,000 fingertip pulse oximeters, which measure the oxygen saturation of the
blood - 200 ventilators (Type Trilogy EVO 02, w/acc. and Type PrismaVENT 50-c,
w/acc.), to move breathable air into and out of the lungs.
German Ambassador Jörn Rohde stated:
“All of Europe is currently fighting a second wave of the pandemic. European solidarity is key. The virus is a threat to all of us. No one is safe until everyone is safe. Thus, the German government is happy to assist Kosovo with the provision of 5,000 oximeters and 100 ventilators. The German assistance is provided in close cooperation with WHO Euro and the WHO country office. This
delivery is one of several support schemes of the German Government for the countries of the Western Balkans in combatting Covid-19.
To date Germany has assisted Kosovo with large donations of medical equipment, protective and hygiene as well as test kit equipment, a large expert mission of the Robert-Koch Institute, a major contribution of more than 5 Mio EUR to economic recovery of the country as well as donations to the most vulnerable members of society.
Germany is also part of the EU efforts to assist Kosovo in overcoming the pandemic where more than 170 million EUR have been allocated to support Kosovo.
We thank the WHO and our Kosovo partners for the very good cooperation.”
Armend Zemaj, Acting Minister of Health said:
“We value the contribution of Germany in support to capacity building of Kosovo, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the empowerment of health services of Kosovo, in order to properly respond to the pandemics. The
support of Germany in different formats has a high positive impact in the improvement of quality of life for the people of Kosovo.”
Ulrika Richardson, UN development Coordinator said: “The UN Family in Kosovo has been with people of Kosovo since the beginning
of the COVID-19 pandemic. With our partners and in spirit of solidarity, multilateralism and leaving no one behind, the UN family has supported families in need, provided experts to assist the public health institutions and strengthen an integrated socio-economic response. The public health system and health workers across Kosovo were faced with an extraordinary challenge, and the
conclusion we all arrive at is the importance and urgency to build a much stronger and resilient public health system.
Today, we see the results of yet an expression of solidarity, from the people and government of Germany in partnership with WHO, through delivery of additional medical equipment to be used effectively by the authorities in support of caring for the sick and saving lives.”
Dr. Valbon Krasniqi, the Head of University Clinical and Hospital Service said we made sure that all of the materials and equipment delivered in this lot with be put in good and proper use.
“Some of this equipment has been introduced for the first time in Kosovo, and beside filling in the wards that host COVID-19 patients, we have also equipped other entities of the University Clinical Center, so that non-COVID-19 patients also receive proper care.”
Dr. Isme Humolli, WHE NPO, WHO Pristina Office emphasised, solidarity is at the core of everything WHO does. One of our main roles in this pandemic has been to assist countries in their response efforts, taking stock of international capacity and resources, and we are extremely grateful to see many forms of solidarity in action, says Dr. Isme Humolli.
“This donation was made possible through a very good cooperation between Germany, Kosovo Institution and WHO.”
Not only will the medical equipment support the treatment of Covid-19-patients in Kosovo; it will also strengthen the capacities for future health emergencies in the longer term.
WHO and Germany have delivered supplies worth 3.65 million Euro to the countries in the Western Balkan region. All materials meet WHO quality and safety standards to keep frontline health-care workers and patients safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
WHO and Germany remain committed to support the Kosovar government’s efforts to combat COVID-19.
