USA and NATO help Goražde in the fight against coronavirus, valuable equipment donated

Written by: Ernad Metaj

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The US Embassy in BiH donated specialized equipment for coronavirus detection to the Cantonal Hospital in Goražde. This, as well as previous assistance that BPK Goražde received from international friends, helps to avoid repeating the situation when this area had an unenviable record for the number of infected and deceased from coronavirus per capita.

"This autumn is significantly calmer. Largely due to our response to the pandemic, acquired experience, but also significant assistance that we have received and are still receiving. Thanks to the Embassy of the United States of America in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the US European Command, Bosnian-Podrinje Canton Goražde received valuable specialized equipment for coronavirus detection that will enable the employees of the Cantonal Hospital Goražde to diagnose this dangerous disease faster and more efficiently. On behalf of the Government of Bosnian-Podrinje Canton Goražde, and on my own behalf, I thank the Embassy of the United States of America in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the efforts they are making so that we can all emerge as winners from this pandemic and for this donation that will significantly help our healthcare workers in the fight against coronavirus," said the Prime Minister of BPK Goražde, Aida Obuća, today.

The value of today's donation is 119,472.62 KM. The donation was secured by the US European Command through the Office of Cooperation in Defense of the US Embassy in BiH. The valuable equipment was handed over to healthcare workers by Deborah Mennuti, Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in BiH, and Major Taib Grozdanić, Head of the Office of Cooperation in Defense of the US Embassy in BiH.

Chargé d'Affaires Mennuti expressed satisfaction that the citizens of BPK Goražde will have better protection through faster detection and isolation of the coronavirus.

- I am impressed by the fact that almost 50 percent of citizens have been vaccinated here. This shows their awareness of the need to help doctors and authorities, stated Mennuti.

According to the director of the Cantonal Hospital Goražde, Nermina Kamenica, the device will also be used for other microbiological analyses after the pandemic. Goran Čerkez from the Federal Ministry of Health also thanked the representatives of the US Embassy.

- Goražde is a very good example of cooperation between the Canton and the Federal Ministry of Health. That is why you have a peaceful autumn, stated Goran Čerkez, Assistant Minister of Health of FBiH.

It was emphasized today that NATO and the USA remain partners to the citizens and authorities in BiH. The device is part of the assistance, and this is only one area, as they are interested in the reform process.