Ljubljana, 17 July 2020 – Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has issued a funding decision for the project COVID-19 – medical and protective equipment against epidemic. The project, worth a total of EUR 38.65 million, will be fully funded by the European Social Fund. The cohesion region Vzhodna Slovenija will receive EUR 23.19 million from the project, whereas the remaining EUR 15.46 million will go to cohesion region Zahodna Slovenija.
The project aims to provide dedicated, adequately equipped and safe health care facilities that ensure effective treatment of patients with severe and critical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and that ensure safety both for patients with mild symptoms of the disease, for those with severe symptoms and for the healthcare staff working with those patients. To this end, appropriate personal protective equipment for health workers will be provided.
The project will pursue the following key goals:
- provide and equip dedicated COVID-19 facilities for management of patients with COVID-19,
- ensure a coordinated and efficient public health response to pandemic,
- reduce COVID-19 incidence and population mortality impact of COVID-19,
- ensure timely and efficient implementation of preventive public health measures,
- ensure smooth and uninterrupted provision of health services and normal working conditions for health workers,
- ensure that health services provided are of high quality and safe,
- ensure that all COVID-19 diagnosed patients have equal access to treatment in line with the principle of equal opportunities.
The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and will help reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of individuals, and the functioning of the society, the economy and the country as a whole.