Swiss-Lithuanian cooperation: €31 million for antenatal, maternal and newborn health care
On 8 October, the Minister of Finance Gintarė Skaistė and the Swiss Ambassador to Lithuania Martin Michelet signed a cooperation programme agreement between Lithuania and Switzerland, which aims to continue investments in the improvement of obstetric and infant healthcare services and the development of child development services. More than €31 million is earmarked for the implementation of this programme.
"Today we have signed an agreement on Swiss-Lithuanian cooperation in health. This is the third agreement in 30 years of Lithuania's independence whereby Switzerland supports Lithuania's efforts to strengthen the quality of medical services with its expertise and resources. Over the next five years, investments will be made in maternal and child health and well-being, with plans to improve the quality of services for pregnant women, newborns and infants in the outpatient sector covering the whole of Lithuania," said Finance Minister G. Skaistė at the signing ceremony.
Minister of Health Aurimas Pečkauskas says that the best assessment of meaningful work is its continuation. "Cooperation between Lithuania and Switzerland has been going on for three decades. The most recent one - improving midwifery services - has been very successful, halving maternal and neonatal complications. I hope that the spirit of cooperation will be maintained in the new phase and the results will speak for themselves," said Mr Pečkauskas at the signing of the agreement.
"This unique programme of cooperation between Swiss and Lithuanian healthcare institutions will further strengthen bilateral relations between Switzerland and Lithuania. This programme contributes to the 2nd objective of the Swiss contribution - to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities between the EU and its partner countries. Children are the most vulnerable in society and we are proud that this initiative will help to improve their quality of life and their future opportunities," says Swiss Ambassador to Lithuania Martin Michelet.
Two cooperation programmes have been implemented so far. Both the first and the second cooperation programmes invested in maternal, newborn and child health. The programmes have already delivered results in terms of improving the quality of inpatient care for pregnant women, mothers and newborns: neonatology, resuscitation and paediatric intensive care services have been improved in the hospitals providing care for pregnant women, and the new programme will also focus on antenatal emotional health, early diagnosis of postnatal disorders, and holistic family support.
"Today's signed agreement opens up new opportunities to ensure quality and accessible healthcare services for pregnant women, mothers and healthy children with developmental disorders throughout Lithuania," said Prof. Renaldas Jurkevičius, Director General of Kaunas Clinics, during the ceremony. The team of Kaunas Clinics has already proven its ability to successfully implement previous programmes, and I believe that the competence 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 cornerstone of the success of this programme."
Throughout the period of independence, Switzerland has provided around €86 million to Lithuania, which has been used for hospital infrastructure, environmental protection and energy efficiency, maternal and newborn health care, NGO and community initiatives, and scientific research.