Speaking at a press conference held at the Serbian government, Nagai said that the Japanese government has decided to donate a biochemical analyzer, two separators and a device for blood analysis to Narodni Front, which will contribute to better care of mothers and babies in this hospital.
He said that the total Japanese assistance to Serbia since 1998 stands at $198 million, including 28 projects in the field of health of which 16 were realised in Belgrade and voiced hope that this donation will contribute to establishing even better ties between Japan and Serbia.
Runic said that a few years ago, the Japanese government donated a state-of-the-art X-ray machine owing to which a large number of diseases have been detected.
Considering the fact that annually 7,000 babies are born in “Narodni Front”, and more than 20,000 different types of surgical procedures are done here, we are impressed by the friendly gesture of the Japanese people and government, said Runic.
He also said that donations by the Japanese government and governments of other countries have contributed to improvement in the work of the clinic, while the Serbian Ministry of Health has done a lot for the entire health sector during previous years.
Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Policy Slobodan Lalovic, who is also coordinator in the Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude to Japanese Ambassador to Serbia Tadashi Nagai and to the Japanese people for the important help provided to Serbia since 1998.
Lalovic pointed to the fact that the Japanese government has helped Serbia not only in the health sector, but also in the area of building flats for war veterans and invalids, while the University of Belgrade was presented with a most advanced computer.
He voiced hope that with time cooperation will improve in quality and that wider cooperation will be established in the areas of economy and business.
According to Lalovic, during the past three years the Serbian government has invested more in the area of health than was invested over the last few decades, and this is the case not just with the health sector but also in other fields.
The signing of the agreement was also attended by State Secretary of Health Nevena Karanovic and Belgrade Deputy Mayor Radmila Hrustanovic.