NEW CAESAREAN SECTION O.R. “HRH CROWN PRINCESS KATHERINE” OFFICIALLY OPENS

Belgrade, 8 March 2004 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine officially opened the new Caesarean section operation room at the Institute for Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Center of Serbia today, on 8 March, the International Women’s Day and the Day of the Institute. The new O.R. will carry the name “HRH Crown Princess Katherine”. The opening was attended by the Minister of Health Prof. Tomica Milosavljevic, 30 representatives of the donors that participated in carrying out the project, representatives of the Japanese and Slovenian Embassies, as well as the great friend of The Royal Couple and the friend of our country, philanthropist Captain Tsakos.

The patron of this project is the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine that has gathered major construction companies, banks and other successful Serbian companies with a sole aim to “PROTECT OUR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN, HELP THE CHILDREN TO COME TO THIS WORLD SAFELY, FOR THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF SERBIA”.

In a joint effort of the Clinical Center of Serbia and the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine a ward has been established – Caesarean section O.R. completely independent from the standard gynecology O.R., as it is usual in the world. The O.R. will carry the name of the Crown Princess, and the total value of the project is € 300,000.

Carried out for a short time, two months, this great construction enterprise will enable to place adequately and put in use a part of the great donation in equipment to our health care system and the Clinical Center by the Japanese Government. The value of the equipment donated to the Institute for Gynecology and Obstetrics is about one million dollars.

On behalf of the Institute the guests were greeted by Prof. Dr. Nebojsa Radunovic, the general manager of the Institute, and Dr. Aleksandar Ljubic, the deputy general manager and the head of the Caesarean section ward. The Clinical Center was represented by Prof. Dr. Predrag Pesko, the deputy general manager who once again thanked Their Royal Highnesses for assisting the health care system in Serbia and for continuing the tradition that was initiated by their ancestors.

Prof. Dr. Tomica Milosavljevic, the Minister of Health, pointed out that the successful completion of this project is an example for everybody, for it has joined the experts – doctors and representatives of major companies with the aim to improve the treatment of our mothers and children and to raise the birth rate.

In his speech the Crown Prince thanked all who believed in this project and wished to help. He thanked all the donors, among which are Energoprojekt Holding, Energoprojekt Equipment, Napred Construction Company, Gemax, Telecom Serbia, Ratko Mitrovic, Duga System, Kula Bank, Eximbank, National Bank of Greece, Krovogradnja, Alpina, Delta Engineering, Komgrap, CD Unioninvest, Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, Slovenian Business Club, Kema Belgrade, Beopublicum and Koraja Company.

In her addressing to the doctors and nurses and numerous media representatives, the Crown Princess reminded of the celebration of the International Women’s Day and the Day of the Institute for Gynecology and Obstetrics:

“ It is my great honor to open the new Caesarean section O.R. of the Clinical Center of Serbia today, together with my husband Crown Prince Alexander. We are gathered today with a sole aim to save our mothers and children, to help the children to come safely to this world. I am proud of all of you who took part in this project” – pointed out the Crown Princess and officially opened the new Caesarean section operation room.