Two psychiatric clinics in the Federation BiH received project and technical documentation for reconstruction, construction and furnishing

The project and technical documentation for reconstruction, construction and furnishing of two psychiatric clinics in the Federation BiH was officially handed over today to the representatives of the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo and the University Clinic in Mostar.

Through a partnership between the relevant BiH institutions, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in BiH and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), and under the Technical Assistance Grant funded by Slovak Inclusive Growth Account (SIGA) from Slovakia, the project and technical documentation with the bill of quantities, including the proposal of the documentation for public procurement of works, goods and services was prepared with the aim of improving accommodation and treatment conditions for all patients and working conditions for medical staff.

Marina Bera, the Federation BiH Assistant Minister of Health stated: “This project is extremely important in many respects, because the reconstruction of psychiatric clinics will result in more dignified treatment of patients, and will create conditions that provide access to modern health and socialization treatments, in accordance with relevant standards of the European Union and World Health Organization. That is, the realization of this project will provide better quality accommodation, and working and therapeutic conditions for patients and their carers.”

“Through the Slovak Inclusive Growth Account (SIGA) mechanism and in partnership with the UNDP and the Council of Europe Development Bank we have implemented this project, because it is important that we work together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This project enables the improvement of health and well-being of all and is a reflection of Slovakia's strong commitment to achieving the SDGs, which is in close synergy with the process of Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the European Union,” said the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Bosnia and Herzegovina H. E. Martin Kačo.

The existing facilities of the institutions require the reconstruction of damaged or temporary infrastructure, modernization in accordance with the state-of-the-art standards (architectural and functional) as well as introduction of new healthcare technologies in order to enhance quality and efficiency of medical services.

“Improving the quality of public services for particularly vulnerable populations and strengthening social inclusion are the focus of the partnership work of UNDP, the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the Slovak Inclusive Growth Account (SIGA) in Slovakia. We are very pleased to mark a significant step forward which, through the preparation of the necessary documentation, enabled access to new financing sources - in this case a loan from the Council of Europe Development Bank. We are proud of our continuous partnership with domestic and international institutions, which is enabling us to work together to provide support to the health system throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Steliana Nedera, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in BiH.

Karin Lepp, Country Manager of the Council of Europe Development Bank said: “This is a high-priority project for the Council of Europe Development Bank as a promotor of the social inclusion of vulnerable categories of the population, such as people with disabilities or those who do not receive adequate support. The social impact of the planned investments is high, because it will contribute to better equipment and better conditions for patients and medical staff, i.e. greater comfort and dignified treatment of patients.”

This phase of the project was completed through the cooperation of the relevant BiH institutions, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in BiH and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), and under the Technical Assistance Grant funded by Slovak Inclusive Growth Account (SIGA) of the Slovak Republic. Within the Project, the project and technical documentation was developed for two psychiatric clinics in the Federation BiH, as well as four institutions for treatment of persons with mental disabilities in the Republika Srpska.