PRISTINA, Kosovo (Aug. 27, 2014) -- Surplus medical equipment that was no longer needed by Multinational Battle Group-East's Task Force Medical was donated by the U.S. Embassy's Civil Military Support Element in Kosovo to healthcare officials at Pristina's leading hospital during a ceremony, Aug. 27.
An ultrasound and portable X-ray machines, valued at over $200,000, were turned into property management and taken off the military equipment property books, then were turned over to the University Clinical Center of Kosovo last November, but embassy officials wanted to commemorate the machines' repurposing, which have already benefited hundreds of patients.
Dr. Myrvete Paqarada, the director of the center's OB-GYN department, said the ultrasound machine has served a vital purpose to doctors who assess pregnant mothers and the well-being of their babies. She said patients are appreciative of the technology and the benefits it brings.
"We get comments from the patients all the time. They are very thankful and we always emphasize that this is a gift and a donation from Camp Bondsteel," Paqarada said. "It's a special feeling to see the babies on ultrasound during pregnancy. We have this kind of equipment to detect problems early and to take measures."
Paqarada said that although the hospital's budget is limited, with new ultrasound technology, over 11,000 babies were delivered last year at the hospital. In only one day last week, nearly 100 expectant mothers were examined with the ultrasound machine.
Dr. Shemsi Veseli, Kosovo's deputy minister of health, said the equipment donation would provide a critical capability to the hospital's patients in the OB-GYN department and the orthopedic clinic, where the X-ray machine is used.
"This is an important day [for] our health system. The ultrasound will be a positive influence in increasing the preventive measures for pregnancies of our wives and mothers and the other piece of equipment at the orthopedic clinic that shows radiology images," Veseli said. "The continued help the U.S. has given the health system of Kosovo has contributed in health reform and increasing the health services in Kosovo."
Jennifer Bachus, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo, said the medical equipment donations were made possible by the American people and the U.S. European Command. She added the international community would maintain its support of enhancing Kosovo's healthcare, and was proud to say the U.S. government had contributed over $4.5 million in assistance programs to the region. Bachus credited the embassy's civil-military support team with coordinating the project.
"We're very proud of our Civil Military Support Element for taking the initiative to spearhead this project, and find a new home and new use for this valuable equipment," she said.
Veseli echoed her thoughts. "We are happy that in this case, this donation is coming from Camp Bondsteel, and we would like to thank the medical personnel at Camp Bondsteel for the continued help," he said.
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