30.07.2014.

The Day of the Military Medical Service marked

At the amphitheater of the Military Medical Academy, on the occasion of July 30, Day of the Medical Service, a ceremony was held today. Aside from the host, the event was attended by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic and the Head of the General Staff Ljubisa Dikovic with members of the Collegium.

Congratulating the holiday to the members of the service, Minister Gasic pointed out that the 175 years long tradition does not only flatter, but also commits.

- This is why it is important for us to continue developing the system of military healthcare. We do not have the right to make mistakes, because that is what our citizens deserve and what we owe to them – Minister of Defence stressed, reminding of the rich tradition of the Medical Service in our country.

According to him, stating that one is a military doctor bears special weight and automatically involves knowledge in the field of medicine, but also professionalism, devotedness and commitment to one’s work and patients – both military and civilian.

- This is what all citizens of Serbia know – those being treated at one of the military healthcare centers, and those who have been visited by a military doctor in the areas difficult to reach. It is also known by people around the world where our medical teams participate in multinational operations. Our cadets of the Military Medical Academy are the guarantee that this tradition will be continued; the first class of future medical doctors will be promoted in 2015, which will be a great event for the entire system – Minister of Defence stated.

Gasic also pointed out that we are aware of the severity of the moment we live and work in, and that that is why efforts are being made to allocate as much money as possible for us to be able to respond, both technologically and staff-wise, to all international standards in this area. Another confirmation of quality is the fact that foreign delegations, during their visit to our country, always visit the MMA.

Head of the Military Healthcare Department Brigadier General prof. Zoran Popovic, PhD, stressed that the military medical service has been and still is one of the best parts of our military, always at our country’s disposal.

- In the past year, we have once again shown that we are always there in times of greatest difficulties. We were there for each patient who turned to us, and reached those in need. During the horrible floods, that had hit a larger part of the region, the entire military medical service conducted their tasks in the best possible manner – General Popovic stressed.

In the course of today’s festivity, docent Veljko Todorovic, PhD, presented his book, co-written with Sci. Med. Aleksandar Nedok, PhD and prim. Branislav Popovic, PhD: “Military Medical Services in the First World War”, publish in the year of marking the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

As in previous years, the Department of Military Healthcare presented the award for the author work in the field of medical science to Colonel Nebojsa Jovic, PhD, and prof. Zvonko Magic, PhD, for their work “Clinical significance of genetic and epigenetic changes in oral planocellular carcinomas”.

Celebration of the military medical services day is marked on 30 July as on this day in 1839, by the Regulation on establishing garrisons, Dr. Emmerich Lindenmeier was appointed the first Head of the Serbian Military Medical Service.