MINSK, 24 September (BelTA) - Serbia sees great potential in expanding cooperation with Belarus in transplantology, Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar told the media following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in transplantology with the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry in Minsk on 24 September, BelTA has learned.
The document was signed by Zlatibor Lončar and Belarusian Healthcare Minister Aleksandr Khodzhayev. The parties expressed confidence that the memorandum would help broaden cooperation between healthcare institutions of the two countries.
“I can say that we’ve identified areas where we can cooperate from the outset. We’ve agreed to initially focus on several areas: transplantology, emergency medical services, and oncology. These are the three directions in which we will be working in the near future,” Zlatibor Lončar said.
The Serbian minister stressed the need to bring together specialists from Serbia and Belarus to exchange experience. “I am extremely impressed by the way emergency services operate here in Belarus and how issues related to oncology and of course transplantology are addressed. I also met with the Metropolitan, because the support of the Church is another aspect we would like to adopt,” he said.
The two ministries also discussed pharmaceutical production.
“These are the main issues on which we have reached agreement, and now the work begins. In a year or two we will be able to see the results,” Zlatibor Lončar noted, adding that there are currently no obstacles to achieving them.
He also thanked the Belarusian side for the medical assistance provided to Serbian citizens, particularly for surgeries performed. “These people are alive, and their quality of life has greatly improved. I am speaking especially about those who underwent kidney transplants and no longer need dialysis. Their lives have changed fundamentally,” he emphasized.
The Serbian minister added that citizens of many other countries have also received medical assistance in Belarus. “Congratulations on all the results you have achieved,” he said.
Zlatibor Lončar pointed out that the memorandum is focused only on transplantology. The Belarusian side had proposed considering cooperation in other areas, such as cardiology and oncology. However, the decision was made to first build a solid foundation and strong ties in one area, which would yield results in training doctors and treating patients. Belarus expects this to serve as an example for closer cooperation in other areas of healthcare.
“I am convinced this is the first fundamental step that will lead to a more effective and broader format of cooperation in healthcare between our countries,” Aleksandr Khodzhayev added.
Photos by Sergei Sheleg
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