Investing in Health Means Investing in the Future

When we talk about local development, health must never be a secondary topic—because it is the foundation of every resilient community. Through the EU PRO Plus programme, with the financial support of the European Union, 12 projects aimed at improving healthcare services and infrastructure have been implemented between 2021 and 2025 in 11 municipalities and cities across Serbia. The total value of these projects exceeds 1.3 million Euros, with more than 920,000 Euros provided through EU funding.

From supporting small medical practices and entrepreneurs in the health sector, to empowering local organisations that deliver healthcare services to vulnerable groups, and undertaking major infrastructure works such as energy upgrades and the reconstruction of health centres—these projects have directly improved the availability, quality, and efficiency of healthcare.

A particularly important segment of this intervention focuses on health infrastructure investments, which included the renovation of health centres, clinics, and medical stations, along with improvements in energy efficiency and working conditions. Within this segment alone, six major infrastructure projects were implemented, with a total value exceeding 1.2 million Euros, of which the EU contributed over 870,000 Euros.

To learn more about why these investments matter, how such projects are prepared and implemented, and how conditions for doctors and patients are improving on the ground—we speak with Milan Kolašinac, EU PRO Plus Programme Engineer in charge of infrastructure interventions.

1. Why is investment in healthcare infrastructure an important part of the EU PRO Plus programme?

Healthcare infrastructure is the foundation of every community—when we invest in healthcare facilities, we’re not just investing in walls and equipment, but in the quality of life of citizens. The goal of the EU PRO Plus programme is to support local development, and improving health facilities means more accessible, safer, and more efficient healthcare for all, especially for those in remote or underdeveloped areas.

2. How have infrastructure projects improved healthcare services in local communities?

Thanks to the support of the European Union, facilities that hadn’t been renovated in years—ranging from health centres to specialised clinics—have been reconstructed. The introduction of energy-efficient solutions has reduced maintenance costs, while modernised spaces and equipment have directly improved the quality and availability of services. Some facilities have, for the first time, been adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, which is a major step towards more inclusive healthcare.

3. Which project would you highlight as an example of good practice, and why?

The Pulmonary Disease and Tuberculosis Treatment Clinic in Užice is an excellent example. Built in the 1960s, the facility had not been renovated for decades, despite providing services to the entire Zlatiborski District. If there was one positive aspect of the COVID-19 crisis, it was the rapid recognition of the need to reconstruct healthcare centres. This project was implemented thanks to a combination of EU funds and an even greater investment from the local self-government.

Another project I would highlight is the reconstruction of the health station in Baljevac, where an ambulance vehicle was also procured. As a result, the station now provides significantly improved healthcare for around 6,000 patients from Baljevac and the surrounding area, and also has the capacity to respond to emergencies—sometimes needed by miners from the nearby “Ibar Mines.”

4. What are the biggest challenges in implementing such projects, and how do you overcome them?

The greatest challenges are often not technical but logistical—synchronising local capacities, construction dynamics, and user needs. We can’t “shut down” a health facility just to renovate it, so the work is done in phases, with a lot of understanding and patience from the medical staff. The key lies in strong coordination among all parties and clear communication. That’s exactly what we do—together with local self-governments, we build trust and success.

5. How do these projects contribute to the broader goal of balanced regional development?

Healthcare systems in smaller communities often suffer from a lack of investment. When, through these projects, we ensure equal conditions for doctors and patients in, say, Raška or Žagubica, as those in larger cities, then we are truly talking about balanced development. Investing in infrastructure also means retaining professionals in local communities, which in turn leads to a better quality of life for citizens.