Borovinić Bojović meets Italian Health Minister: Strengthening cooperation with European partners

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Health and Social Welfare Jelena Borovinić Bojović, who is paying a working visit to Italy, met earlier today in Rome with his Italian counterpart Orazio Schillaci.

The meeting discussed opportunities for further enhancing bilateral cooperation between Montenegro and Italy in the field of healthcare, with particular emphasis on the digitalisation of the healthcare system, development of telemedicine, application of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative healthcare practices, prevention and the exchange of professional expertise and experience.

Particular attention was paid to the application of modern technologies in healthcare and the opportunities to improve access to health services through the development of telemedicine, especially for citizens living in remote areas.

The meeting also addressed the potential of digital solutions for more efficient communication and the exchange of medical data between healthcare institutions and healthcare professionals.

“For Montenegro, as a candidate country for the EU membership, it is particularly important to strengthen cooperation with EU Member States and make use of their experience and good practices to improve our healthcare system. Cooperation with Italy is of particular importance in that regard,” Borovinić Bojović emphasised.

As part of the discussion concerning areas under the responsibility of the Directorate for Pharmacology, Precursors and Cosmetic Products, the meeting presented opportunities for enhancing cooperation in the fields of pharmacology and clinical trials, as well as the exchange of experience regarding the monitoring and functioning of the national medicines consumption system.

Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro Tamara Tapušković stressed the importance of strengthening links between the academic and clinical sectors by enhancing cooperation between universities and healthcare institutions. The aim is to establish stronger links between contemporary academic knowledge and clinical practice, as well as to ensure continuous professional development for healthcare professionals.

In the area of child healthcare, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of establishing closer links between institutes for children’s diseases in Montenegro and Italy as a basis for more intensive professional cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and experience and improvements in medical equipment and the conditions for providing healthcare to the youngest patients. One of the areas identified as significant for future cooperation is the improvement and harmonisation of approaches and treatment protocols for children through the exchange of professional experience and good medical practices.

The working visit to Italy represents a continuation of Montenegro’s commitment to improving the quality, efficiency and accessibility of healthcare for all citizens through international cooperation, the exchange of experience and stronger links between healthcare institutions and European partners.

The meeting with the Minister of Health of Italy further confirms the importance of developing partnership relations between the two countries in the field of healthcare and creates opportunities to establish concrete forms of future cooperation, particularly in the areas of digital health, modern medical technologies and professional networking among healthcare institutions.