Lithuania will accumulate stocks of EU medical equipment: a special warehouse will be established

As reported by the Ministry of Health (SAM), within the framework of the “RescEU” project in Lithuania, a warehouse of medical equipment that meets the requirements of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism will be established. The European Commission will allocate 97 million for its installation. euros.

“Creating one of the EU’s medical equipment reserve warehouses in Lithuania is a great responsibility for our country. This project is important in creating safe living conditions for Europeans in the face of crises and threats,” says Chancellor of the Government Giedrė Balchytytė.

Jurgita Grebenkovienė, the chancellor of the Ministry of Health, notes that the establishment of such a warehouse shows the EC’s confirmation that Lithuania is able to provide assistance at the level of the European Union.

“This is not only the recognition of the competences of the responsible institutions of Lithuania and the result of the excellent work of the coordinated actions of our diplomatic service in order to achieve this center in Lithuania. At the same time, this is a great European responsibility – the ability of other countries to respond immediately and properly to emerging cross-border threats to the health and life of the population will depend on the appropriate and coordinated actions of Lithuania,” says J. Grebenkovienė.

The report indicates that since 2020, the European Commission, together with EU member states, has already established reserve warehouses for medical equipment in 12 countries, including France, Finland, and neighboring Poland.

During the implementation of the project, stocks of medicines and personal protective equipment, which may be needed by any EU country in the face of a crisis situation and threats, including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats to the health of the population, first responders, healthcare services, will be accumulated in Lithuania. providers, civilian population.

In Lithuania, the project will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and the Center for Extreme Health Situations (ESSC), in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, the Department of Fire Protection and Rescue, the National Crisis Management Center, the State Medicines Control Service and other institutions.

The ESSC coordinating the activities of the established RescEU warehouse, after receiving information about the required assistance through the EU Disaster Response Coordination Center, will have to ensure that the aid package is sent to the disaster or crisis area within 12 hours.

The agreement signed on November 24 to establish a “RescEU” warehouse in Lithuania stipulates that the project will be implemented on January 1, 2024. The duration of the project is 33 months.