Hospital Renewed by TİKA Gives Hope to Mothers of Sancak Region

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Novi Pazar State Hospital which was repaired by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and opened for service last year by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's wife First Lady Emine Erdoğan gave hope to mothers in the region.

The infant mortality rate has declined to a large extent after TİKA repaired the obstetrics and gynecology department and equipped it with modern materials in the hospital which was opened in 1954 in Novi Pazar, the largest city of Sancak region which is heavily populated by Bosnians in Serbia, and provides service to approximately 300 thousand patients annually. Within the scope of the project, which was launched in order to prevent neonatal deaths in Novi Pazar where 2,500 babies are born annually, the sickrooms, operating theaters, delivery rooms, ventilation systems, and elevators of the department, which covers an area of 1,500 square meters, were repaired and modern medical devices and furniture were provided.

Neonatal deaths decreased significantly

The project which was initiated during President Erdoğan's visit to Serbia in October last year gives hope to mothers in Sancak. Stating that a team of about 70 people works in the department, Sead Sacic, Vice President of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Novi Pazar State Hospital, pointed out that the results received last year have proved how important and successful the project is. Stating that they are now providing service to patients in much better conditions thanks to the project carried out in cooperation with TİKA, Dragica Nikolic Foundation, Ministry of Health of Serbia, and Novi Pazar Municipality, Sacic said employees also have a work environment with higher quality thanks to the restoration. Noting that they rank fourth in terms of the number of births in Serbia, Sacic said, “There is a significant decline in neonatal deaths and similar complications in our department. This is one of the indicators of how important the project is.” Sacic said that they also serve patients coming from other cities and added, “Our department was equipped with modern medical devices as part of the project. We were using 50-year-old operating tables before the repair. Thanks to the project, we managed to create an environment where everyone would be satisfied.”

The hospital is a hope for mothers in Sancak

Sabina Sinanovic, who gave birth in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Novi Pazar State Hospital for the third time, emphasized that the hospital now has great conditions compared to her previous labors. Stating that she is very pleased with the facilities offered for her baby and herself, Sinanovic said the department did not have any deficiencies. Jelena Isak, who had her second baby, pointed out that the conditions in the hospital were excellent and she said, “Both the hospital staff and hygiene conditions are perfect. I would highly recommend this hospital with ideal conditions to the expectant mothers.” Novi Pazar State Hospital Director Meho Mahmutovic emphasized that they aim to become one of the major health centers in the region and they want to carry out many more projects with the support of Turkey.

According to 2017 data, Novi Pazar is among the municipalities with the highest birth rate among 169 municipalities of Serbia. A total of 2,347 babies were born in Novi Pazar in 2017 and the region has the youngest (33) population of the region in terms of age average.