Montenegro and World Health Organisation sign two-year cooperation agreement worth $ 650.000

Podgorica, Montenegro (28 March 2014) – Montenegro’s Health Minister Miodrag Radunović and Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Zsuzsanna Jakab signed a two-year cooperation agreement worth $ 650,000 in Podgorica on Thursday.

“The agreement put emphasis on some strategic priorities of Montenegro’s health system, namely chronic, non-communicable diseases, mental health and use of drugs, prevention of violence against children, injuries reduce, reproductive health and safety of mothers, infants, children and adolescents. The priorities also include environmental protection and health, as well as social determinants, “Health Minister Radunović told the press conference following the signing ceremony.

He added the new Law on Health Care is supposed to be passed in the Parliament before the holiday season.

WHO Regional Director Zsuzsanna Jakab welcomed the health care reform in Montenegro and underlined that development directions of Montenegro's health system correspond with the standards the WHO promotes. She also emphasised crucial importance of the Law on Hospital Sector Optimisation which is pending, as it puts patients and their needs at the centre of attention.

When it comes to the nation’s health, according to Ms Jakab, positive changes have been made in increasing life expectancy and in reducing infant and maternal mortality.

On the other hand, it is necessary to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancer, she noted.

WHO's Zsuzsanna Jakab also stated that the percentage of GDP allocated to the healthcare in Montenegro is adequate, pointing out that more investment should be made in disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles