02.03.2012.

Marking the day of the Military Medical Academy

In the study hall of MMA 168 years of existence of the MMA was marked today. The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac, head of the Military Medical Academy, Brigadier General prof. Dr. Marijan Novakovic, Health Minister Zoran Stankovic, Deputy Chief of General Staff Major General Milan Bjelica, hancellor of the University of Defence Lt. Gen. prof. Dr Miodrag Jevtic, the head of the Military Academy Major General Mladen Vuruna, the representatives Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia, religious organizations, public figures and cultural life including numerous guests.

The Military Medical Academy, the results of the previous year and plans for the future of the Chief of VMA were presented by General Novakovic, the head of the MMA. He pointed out that the this largest military hospital in Serbia and the region, is well known for its work around the world, it is synonymous with tradition and is a trusted medical brand promoting our country at its finest.

It has been a little over a year since I came into this office to say that I am satisfied with the results achieved. In every aspect of MMA, and the so-called three pillars - health, education, and education, we have made progress. In healthcare, we have made quantitative improvements in the number of treated and cured patients, but also qualitative, as new diagnostic procedures, especially in radiology were introduced and applied last year. Latest novelties have been introduced in therapeutic sense as latest protocols in the treatment of malignant diseases have been used, in all segments. The Ministry of Health has given us permission to become a reference Center for Treating Cancer, which means that we can not only diagnose malignancy but also treat it with appropriate therapy - General Novakovic said.

He pointed out that the biggest news in education are the fact that the Medical Academy has received accreditation, as part of the University of Defence which has enrolled three classes of cadets. Mid this year, the Military Medical Academy will host the Balkan Congress of Military Medicine, and received the offer to organize a European Congress of Military Medicine 2014th year.

- We continue at same pace, we plan to purchase new equipment, to introduce modern methods of treatment, improvement of the medical profession and the training of staff, the intensification of international cooperation, combating corruption and creating conditions for further improving the financial position of our employees. All this is done to improve the quality of health care for our patients, both military and civilian insurance holders. MMA is there for its patients - said the head of the institution, adding that additional efforts have been directed at improving relations between the medical staff and patients, and that no technique nor expensive apparatus can compensate when human factor fails.

Congratulating the employees and former employees of the Military Medical Academy and holiday facilities and 168 years of existence, Minister Sutanovac said that the last four years in the work of ministry can be characterized as years of reform, where the reforms of the military healthcare system were most important
" Full professionalization of the Army of Serbia, establishing the University of Defence, a Military School of Medicine, pension and health reforms are reforms that are directly related to military health and Military Medical Academy," stated Sutanovac adding that the renewal of the MMA in the last four years went into two directions. On the one hand new staff was engaged and on the other MMA has seen big renovation and modernization in technology and equipment, with some 900 million RSD worth of investments.

"The money has been invested in the purchase of new equipment, such as linear accelerators, multislice scanner, angiography rooms and many other medical devices. Today there are 32 thousand devices 95 % of which are working properly, "said the minister recalling that only several years ago there was a public debate whether the MMA should even be within the Ministry but in 2008 the MMA was functionally integrated into the healthcare system of Serbia.

"Today, the MMA can treated all citizens with adequate treatments. During this time the hospital has treated about 90 thousand civilians and performed several hundred thousand operations. During January our military hospital in Nis and Novi Sad have opened their doors and provided medical assistance to the civilian population, which is an extremely important contribution to the general state of health in Serbia. We promised in 2008 that we will do everything to make MMA the best and best-equipped hospital in this part of Europe, and we have data to prove it, "said Defence Minister pointing out as very important that this institution has all five certificates of international quality standards including certification and accreditation for the laboratory diagnosis in five areas.

This year marks the four years of existence, and two years of an accredited School of Medicine Academy, and during this time the school has enrolled the fourth generation of cadets of the Military and the Military Medical Academy. The number of prospective students is double the number than last year, according to the minister.

"By positioning of the Military Medical Academy, we have created a competitive institution which can offer and is open to international military cooperation for education and training of medical personnel. All countries in the region, not only in the region, because we have cadets from Libya, Angola, and we expect fifteen Algerian military doctors who have come to further their education in Serbia, and we are conducting serious negotiations with two African countries, in one of which we will be responsible for establishing their military hospitals, and another where we will send our military experts to work there in collaboration with their hosts, "the minister indicated, recalling good cooperation with Norway, China, the Czech Republic, U.S. and Russia, and another forty countries.

According to his words of the involvement of members of the MMA in peacekeeping missions, primarily in the Congo and in Chad should be also noted as of high significance. "Today as we celebrate 168 years of MMA we should send congratulations and greetings to the members of this institution and the medical corps of the Army of Serbia and Serbia who are in the peacekeeping mission in Congo. The work that they do is work that increases the capacity of our Army and our country as part of integrations we seek, "the minister said, adding that active participation in peacekeeping operations and international exercises, and international cooperation with the military medical institutions will contribute to improving the capacity of the foreign policy of our country.

Speaking about accomplished tasks, the Minister reminded of what lies ahead for this institution and the Ministry of Defence as a whole.
- We want to continue the technological renovation and modernization of the MMA, and the planned complete renovation of the operation bloc and intensive care unit, said the defense minister, emphasizing, that the procurement of medical helicopters for quick and adequate response of mobile medical team of the MMA on the whole territory of the Republic is also planned. He also stressed that the ongoing reform of the pension system and reform of the military health insurance is creating conditions for broader and more adequate funding of the military health system.

- Recalling that the former Republic pension fund had owed 7.4 billion RSD to the military health fund, and since we completed the reform of the pension system the fund is now making full reimbursements and payments for the treatment of our military retired personnel., said Sutanovac .

He promised that in future much more attention will be paid to the MMA's research work, for which substantial funds will be allocated, especially those applied to research of great importance for the Serbian army.

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We want to send the most promising young doctors in training to the most prestigious medical institutions around the world while also receiving and accepting the training of foreign officers and doctors in our country, said Minister of Defence. He pointed out that in the past four years much has been done to improve the financial status of employees in the defense, but that work does not only depend on the Ministry of Defence. In particular, he mentioned that the work of the nursing staff should also be credited with better financial compensation, as they, similar to other members of the military who have troop allowances, should receive adequate compensation.

- Expected us adequate and comprehensive analysis of existing organizational charts and establishing new ones, which will enable faster and better medical service personnel under the plan. The Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia, but in MMA, there is a need to start a new reorganization in order to employ people from the system at full capacity, said the Minister said and pointed to the recently announced tender for 97 new members of the MMA. He noted that the team competition of the Ministry shows a desire to be at the VMA to Serbian citizens by the institution and expect.

- In Serbia, the region and much of the world, is a bright example of VMA and there is not a foreign minister of defense has not shown interest in cooperation with this institution, said the defense minister expressed hope that the future will be more opportunity to represent knowledge VMA and capacities beyond the borders of Serbia.

This year five PhDs were promoted whose degrees were awarded by the Chief MMA prof. Brigadier General Dr. Marijan Novakovic. He presented diplomas to major Aleksandar Tomic, Colonel Janko Pejovic, Milena Miljkovic, Zoran Petrovic and Miroslav Brocic.

Every year at this ceremony, the best MMA organization unit for the previous year is also selected. This recognitions is made even more important as it is selected year by the colleagues and for the 4th year the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation won this award. At the ceremony the Chief of the Clinic Professor Colonel. Dr. Branko Gligic received the military commemorative medal presented by Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, while a special plaque was presented to the unit by the Head of the MMA Brigadier General Marijan Novakovic.

Medals "Dr. Vladan Djordjevic," for the best surgeons in the country were presented to the retired to prof. Dr. Branislav Pantelic the former head of the Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Burns and director of the Institute for Orthopedic Surgery prof. Dr. Slobodan Slavkovic. The decoration was presented to Gen Slavkovic by the Chief of the Group of Surgery Clinics Colonel prof. Nebojsa Jovic, while prof. Dr. Branislav Pantelic wil be awarded subsequently.

The award for the author of the year in "Military Medical Review" was established in 1995 in order to emphasize the importance of publishing in scientific journals for the advancement of medicine and science. This year's winner, prim. . Zoran Stanojkovic, MD from the Nis blood transfusion institute, published three papers in this journal last year. Physician Dr. Stanojkovic is the second winner of civilian institutions. The award was presented by the Chief of the Military Health Care Department Colonel prof. Dr. Zoran Popovic.

Military Medical Academy is open to all Serbian citizens and foreign nationals. It is an institution in the defense of the Republic of Serbia which is an integral part of the Ministry of Defence and a strategic brand of our country and the Army in our path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

MMA celebrates this day as a remembrance of the 2 March 1844, when Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic signed a decree that declares "Law of the Central Army Establishing Accommodation for the sick."

On the occasion of the Academy of Military Medical Center MMA organized today in the Central Military Club a free preventive skin examination for early detection of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

Early detection of skin cancer is important for better prognosis for the patient, according to a doctor the number of those who came exceeded the expectations. During the day, more than three hundred people were examined, so the campaign will probably be repeated in the future.

Melanoma is a malignant tumor of skin cells, and preventive care is the best way to prevent melanoma. In addition to avoiding unnecessary exposure to sunlight, doctors of the MMA advise wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses with UV protection, applying sunscreen while regularly examining their skin and seeing a dermatologist, and avoiding solariums.