THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES IN PITTSBURG

The current situation in Serbia presented at meetings with the leading health centres

Pittsburg, 12 May 2005 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Princess Katherine were in the USA last week, where they, in the organization of Pittsburg University, attended a large number of meetings with professors and key medical staff of the Children’s Hospital that does leading research in childhood diseases and is interested in collaborative research or medical exchanges with Serbia, the Magee Women’s Hospital that has been involved in international cooperation for many years including a state-of-the-art women’s clinic in Moscow which they funded and support, the major teaching hospital in Pittsburgh, all with the intention to establish a cooperation and donation of medical equipment.

In the protocol of the visit of Their Royal Highnesses there were also meetings at the Hillman Cancer Centre, a leading research institute in the US for all types of cancer and cancer treatments, which expressed the wish to do research collaboration and exchanges with Serbia.

HRH Princess Katherine, a patron of the Foundation in Belgrade, which carries her name and has done humanitarian work for years, presented the current situation in our health system and expressed her hope that the collaboration in the professional field would contribute to the better treatment of the patients. Princess Katherine pointed out that each donation in equipment can do much for our patients and will be delivered to those health institutions that need it most.

At the end of their stay in Pittsburgh, The Crown Prince and Princess visited the Serbian American community at the Serbian Club, where the Diaspora of this region gathers. Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by the children dressed in traditional costume and according to the good old custom, offered the dear guests bread and salt. As a tribute to Their Royal Highnesses they sang the traditional song “Mnoga Ljeta” followed by the thunderous applause from the large number of people who came to greet the dear guests.

The present were addressed by Princess and The Crown Prince. The Crown Prince overviewed the current situation in Serbia, while Princess spoke about the activities of the humanitarian organization “Lifeline New York” and the urgent needs for humanitarian aid. The present had the opportunity to look at photos from the health centres and health homes from all over Serbia, which were visited by Their Royal Highnesses. The photos showed most vividly the difficult situation in Serbia. Afterwards The Crown Prince and Princess answered questions and took photos with the present.