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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kosovo, in immediate response to COVID-19, handed over today the first 20 mobile ventilators to the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK) funded by the governments of Norway, Switzerland and Luxemburg. These ventilators will strengthen the intensive care capacity of Kosovo’s health sector.
Mr. Armend Zemaj, Minister of Health, Ms. Maria Suokko, UNDP Resident Representative as well as donor representatives, Norwegian Ambassador Jens Erik Grøndahl and the Swiss Ambassador Jean-Hubert Lebet were present at the handover event which took place at the UCCK on 12 June 2020. Chargée d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Ms. Natacha Gomes was not able to join the event due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic.
Total contribution by governments of Norway, Switzerland, and Luxembourg is USD1,17 million toward the procurement of Vg70 mobile ventilators in partnership with UNDP. Through this generous support, UNDP procured 40 ventilators, 20 of which were handed over today while the rest will be received before the end of June.
Minister of Health, Mr. Armend Zemaj, who accepted the donation on behalf of the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK) emphasized the importance of this cooperation: “It is an honor for me to accept this donation on behalf of the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo. I want to thank the governments of Norway, Switzerland and Luxembourg for funding and UNDP for procuring the lifesaving mobile ventilators. Your contribution and support to the health system in Kosovo in managing the COVID-19 pandemic is highly appreciated. The Ministry of Health is committed to continue with joint projects in the future as well, after we defeat the crisis”.
“UNDP stands together with the people and institutions of Kosovo and international partners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and in responding to its impacts. Today’s donation was made possible through generous contribution by the Governments of Norway, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, and we are extremely thankful for them partnering with us in support to Kosovo in these difficult times. We are committed to supporting Kosovo to strengthen its health care capacity - in coping with the pandemic and beyond.,” said on this occasion Maria Suokko, UNDP Resident Representative.
“In a very difficult time, which is putting tremendous strain on public health services it is necessary to show solidarity and do what we can to help each other and strengthen our common efforts in beating the pandemic. Therefore, Norway is proud to support government effort against the COVID-19 pandemic by providing funds for the immediate purchase of ventilators for hospitals in an unprecedented partnership with Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and United Nations Development Programme in Kosovo”, said Ambassador Grøndahl.
“As a long-term partner to Kosovo’s social and economic development, Switzerland is happy to stand with Kosovo also in the fight against COVID-19. The equipment being delivered today increase the capacity of the fragile health system to offer adequate services to patients suffering from COVID-19 as well as other severe respiratory diseases. We encourage the Kosovo Government to keep up the effective management response and commend the health professionals and other first respondents for their dedication in the fight against COVID 19 so far, thus protecting the lives and health of citizens of Kosovo”, stated Ambassador Lebet
Chargée d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Ms. Natacha Gomes, in her absence at the event, sent a message stating: “While I regret not being able to participate in this hand-over event with my counterparts, I am pleased to say that my government ‘s contributing to procurement of Mobile Ventilators, in partnership with the governments of Norway and Switzerland, and in partnership with UNDP Kosovo, maximizes joint efforts towards effective response to COVID-19. My government reconfirms its commitment to support Kosovo institutions to effectively respond to the emergency needs and build on Luxemburg’s many years of support to the health sector reform.“
The ventilators are manufactured in China, certified with EU certificate and quality assurance by UNDP’s Global Procurement Unit in Copenhagen.
Working at the heart of UN Kosovo Team, UNDP in Kosovo has been supporting the people and institutions of Kosovo to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic since the outbreak, focusing particularly on the most vulnerable. We have rapidly shifted focus, responding swiftly and efficiently and reorienting our programme to assist Kosovo’s efforts to stop the spread of the virus, helping to protect people from the pandemic and its impacts, respond during the outbreak, and recover from the economic and social impacts in the months to come.
To learn more about our work to fight the pandemic, please visit our page: https://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/covid-19-pandemic-response.html
For more information, please contact:
Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate
Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410; mobile: 049 720 800 e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org
Danijela Mitić, Communication Associate UNDP
Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412; mobile: 049 720 824 e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org
