Today, Minister of Finance Gintarė Skaistė and Ambassador of Switzerland to Lithuania Martin Michelet signed a cooperation framework agreement on continuing investments in the improvement of obstetrics and infant health services and the development of child development services. More than EUR 31 million is allocated for the implementation of this framework.
“Today we signed the Swiss-Lithuanian cooperation framework agreement in health field. This is already the third agreement over 30 years of Lithuania’s Independence, under which Switzerland with its experience and resources supports Lithuania’s aspiration to strengthen the quality of medical services. Over upcoming five years, the investments will be made in health and well-being of mother and child: it is foreseen to improve the quality of services for pregnant women, neonates and infants in outpatient treatment covering the entire territory of Lithuania”, said Minster of Finance G. Skaistė at the time of signing.
Minister of Health Aurimas Pečkauskas says that the best evaluation of meaningful works is their continuation. “Swiss-Lithuanian cooperation continuous already for three decades. The latest of which – the improvement of obstetric services – was highly effective, helping to halve maternal and neonatal complications. I believe that at the new stage the spirit of cooperation will be maintained and the results achieved will speak for themselves”, wished Mr A. Pečkauskas during the signature procedure.
“This unique framework, in cooperation between Swiss and Lithuanian health institutions, willfurther strengthen bilateral relations between Switzerland and Lithuania. This framework contributes to the goal of the 2nd Swiss Contribution, i.e. to contribute to reducing economic and social disparities between the EU and partner countries. Children are the most vulnerable part of society, therefore, we are proud that this initiative will help to improve their quality of life and future prospects”, says Ambassador of Switzerland to Lithuania Martin Michelet.
To date, two cooperation frameworks have been implemented. In both the first and second cooperation framework, investments were made in prenatal, maternal, neonatal and child health care. The frameworks implemented have already borne fruit – the quality of outpatient treatment for prenatal, maternal, neonatal services has been improved: neonatology, resuscitation and intensive child support services have been improved in hospitals providing prenatal services. The new framework will also focus on the emotional health of pregnant women, early diagnosis of postnatal disorders and holistic family support.
“The framework signed today opens up new possibilities to ensure quality and accessible health care services for pregnant women, mothers, healthy children and with developmental disorders throughout Lithuania”, said Director General of Kaunas Clinics Prof. Habil. Dr. Renaldas Jurkevičius during the ceremony – “Kaunas Clinics are entrusted with a huge honour and responsibility to implement this large-scale project. The team of Kaunas Clinic has already demonstrated its ability to successfully implement previous frameworks, so I believe that the competences of our specialists, close cooperation with partners in Lithuania and Switzerland, and the focus of all stakeholders on the common goal of maternal and child health and well-being will be the key factor in the success of this framework.”
Over the whole period of the Independence, Switzerland allocated about EUR 86 million to Lithuania, which was used for hospital infrastructure, environmental protection and energy efficiency improvement, prenatal, maternal and neonatal health care, initiatives of non-governmental and community organisations and for scientific research.
