27.11.2012.
Donation of equipment for HIV/AIDS prevention and control
On the occasion of the donation of equipment for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS to the Serbian Armed Forces, the U.S. Ambassador in Belgrade Michael Kirby, visited the Military Medical Academy, and met with the Head of this institution Brigadier General Prof. Dr. Marijan Novakovic.The $ 100,000 worth assistance is a part of the U.S. Department of Defence DHAPP (Department of Defence HIV/AIDS Prevention Program), in which the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia and the Military Medical Academy have been participating through donation since 2006.
The Protocol was signed at the Military Academy on 7 November, when the handover of donation for the development of laboratory equipment for HIV testing and diagnosis of disease (rapid tests, ELISA, PCR tests, CD4 and CD8 tests) took place. The assistance applies also to information activities to raise awareness among the military population on HIV/AIDS, and envisages also the training of physicians in the MMA in the prevention and control of this disease.Expressing satisfaction for the visit of Ambassador Kirby, Head of MMA, Brigadier General Prof. Dr. Marian Novakovic, recalled the good military-medical cooperation that MMA have had with the U.S., which, in the first place, is reflected in cooperation with the Ohio National Guard.
- The delegation of the Ministry of Defence visited Ohio last year and made some significant steps in the cooperation that will involve the exchange of staff and perhaps our students in conducting the summer part of their clinical practice – the MMA Head pointed out and thanked the United States for recognizing the need for donation in preventive medicine, especially the incidence of AIDS, because the entire population, especially the military one, is not immune from this severe disease and infection.Ambassador Kirby emphasized that today he has had the opportunity to make sure that the reputation enjoyed by the Military Medical Academy is true, and that he was glad that his country could provide assistance to such qualified experts when it comes to HIV and AIDS prevention.
- This is a modest way to help Serbia and its military to maintain a low rate of illness from this disease, but I hope that we will also have opportunity in the future to continue our collaboration with the MMA and other medical institutions in Serbia, in order to improve the level of health services and medical care for the entire population – Ambassador Kirby said.The U.S. Department of Defence HIV/AIDS Prevention Program is being implemented in cooperation with the Medical Services of the Armed Forces from a number of countries worldwide, with the aim of raising awareness about the disease and strengthening the prevention capacity.
