Mission Serbia
Infant mortality: 15 ‰
Life expectancy at birth: 73.6
HDI: NC
Real GDP/inhabitant ($): NC
Population:
» Beneficiary: 1,086
» Target: 2,950
Personnel:
» Local: 7
» Expatriate: 1
Funding:
» French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MdM, Global Fund
Budget 2007:
» 286,065 e
After Kosovo’s independence in February 2008 and the split with Montenegro, Serbia continues to experience negative consequences of the conflict during the 90s. On top of fragile political alliances, the economy is struggling. Drug users are victims of discrimination and do not have access to healthcare. Because of the inadequate provision of healthcare, and the total lack of any prevention policy, AIDS and hepatitis continue to spread.
Harm reduction among drug users - Belgrade
Activities :
The objective of the programme is for the Serb government to recognise harm reduction as a public health priority. MdM continues its support of the local association VEZA in its needle exchange programme and the outreach activities carried out by its information and prevention minibus. In addition, MdM is working with a primary healthcare service, towards the opening of a specialist addiction medicine unit and the integration of patients on opiate substitution treatment.
Outlook :
VEZA is undergoing changes and is becoming the reference training centre in Serbia for organisations working in harm reduction. The development of the network facilitates advocacy work. The Ministry of Health has accepted the opening of the substitution centre, and the first patients will benefit from opiate substitution treatment.
August 2008