HLA laboratory opened in Podgorica

 

Thanks to the Government of Montenegro, Ministry of Science, Ministry of Health and enthusiasm of Prof. Dr. Marina Ratković, the Clinical Centre of Montenegro and the Montenegrin health system have been enhanced with another important segment, Laboratory for HLA Typing.

On this occasion, today, on 5 April 2019, the opening ceremony for the Laboratory for HLA Typing was held at the Institute for Blood Transfusion of Montenegro.

In the opening ceremony, those present were addressed by Dr. Jevto Eraković, Director of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Dr. Kenan Hrapović, Minister of Health, and Dr. Sanja Damjanović, Minister of Science.

At the beginning of her address, Minister Damjanović congratulated Prof. Marina Ratković and her team for showing responsibility, professionalism and efficiency, reminding that the laboratory was part of a project of the Ministry of Science, a result of a grant supported by the Government and funded from a World Bank loan through a special HERIC project.

“Beside the laboratory, in which important analyses necessary for organ transplantation will be made, the project also provides us with local staff trained through the transfer of knowledge and technology with the help of the Zagreb Clinical Centre”, Damjanović added.

As one of the illustrative examples of “Science for Society”, the project has an important economic aspect as well.

“So far, these important analyses have been made in foreign institutions, with high costs involved. The cost of the project is about half a million euros, with 70% (EUR 315,000) financed by the Ministry of Science and 30% co-financed by the Ministry of Health. However, the entire investment will be repaid in just a few years, which means that this is also an economically viable project”, minister Damjanović added.

For Montenegro, the research aspect of the project is important as well, given that the analyses will be made locally, which will enable monitoring of various diseases in the country and obtaining significant scientific and research results in the field of medicine. This will contribute to the regional and international recognition of Montenegro and its medical institutions as high-quality scientific research centres in the field of medical science.

The Ministry of Science has the opportunity to finance this and other similar projects that recognise the importance of scientific research activities in Montenegro thanks to the Government’s support and a 60% budget increase.