MINISTER LONČAR MET WITH DR GABRIELE FONTANA, UNICEF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL HEALTH ADVISOR

On that occasion, UNICEF representatives commended the considerable commitment of the Ministry of Health in mobilising intersectoral cooperation in the protection of youth mental health in Serbia, which resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between 6 ministries and defining an action plan that provided state investments of around 1 million euros in the next two years.

The successful cooperation of the Ministry of Health and UNICEF in the field of strengthening the health care system for the youngest population, that is, the development of children at the earliest age and support for their families, through home visiting service, paediatricians and early intervention services for children with difficulties and disabilities was highlighted at the meeting, whereby Serbia is a good practice example in the region.

Minister Lončar and UNICEF representatives agreed that improving the youth mental health, the availability of information and good quality free time, as well as good quality services, is one of the important priorities of further cooperation.

An important topic of discussion was the improvement of the mother and newborn health care, and Minister Lončar and Dr Fontana agreed that supporting the implementation of the child immunisation programme is an urgent priority for Serbia and the entire region.