5.5 million of Swiss francs secured for the Palliative Care Programme under the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme
Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman and the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Beatrice Schaer, in the presence of Minister of Health Irena Hrstić, signed the Agreement for the Palliative Care Programme under the Second Swiss Contribution.
This ensures the prerequisites for the use of 5.5 million Swiss francs intended for improving the coordination and integration of all levels of palliative care and improving the quality of palliative care at the national level, with a special emphasis on providing appropriate palliative care in the home environment.
“With this program, Croatia, in cooperation with Swiss partners, will improve the palliative care system and enable an improvement in the quality of life of incurable patients and their families,” said Minister Mikuš Žigman upon signing the Agreement. She recalled that 11 projects worth a total of 45 million Swiss francs were successfully implemented in Croatia through the First Swiss Contribution, while a new 45.7 million Swiss francs were secured through the Second Contribution for the period until the end of 2029.
The Palliative Care Program, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Health, is one of four programs implemented and financed from the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Program through the Second Swiss Contribution. Earlier agreements were signed for the Research Program worth 8 million Swiss francs, the Water Supply and Sewage Program worth 23 million Swiss francs, and the Civil Society Program worth 7.6 million Swiss francs.
In addition to improving the quality of palliative care, funds under the Second Swiss Contribution are also intended to finance programs and projects aligned with national priorities and strategies, with an emphasis on strengthening international scientific cooperation and the innovation potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, the development of sustainable water supply and drainage infrastructure in the Gorski Kotar region, and the development of civil society, through encouraging volunteering and socially useful learning.
