CEB supports upgrades in psychiatric institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The CEB approved a€ 0.5 million technical assistance grant for the rehabilitation and expansion of four psychiatric institutions and the construction of two psychiatric clinics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The funding originates from the Slovak Inclusive Growth Account (SIGA), a fund set up by the Slovak authorities in 2016 to support CEB initiatives.

The grant will help local beneficiary institutions to prepare detailed project designs. It will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina – an institution that has already provided technical assistance to the Ministries of Health for this project. Grant activities should commence in July 2019 and be completed by December 2020.

Existing psychiatric care facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have benefited from very little investments since the 1990s. They are mostly in disrepair and their maintenance costs, particularly those associated with energy and water, are high.

The proposed investments will increase the comfort and dignity of patients during their treatment, in line with relevant EU and World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. Full accessibility for persons with disabilities will be reflected by the designs. Planned works will also decrease energy and water costs.

The investment costs are planned to be partly covered by an €11 million loan from the CEB. The new facilities are expected to be completed by 2024.

“Donor contributions can provide key support to CEB operations as they enable the Bank to support social projects in countries whose technical capacities are limited. More than 10 000 patients and staff will benefit from this project and the grant from the Slovak Inclusive Growth Account is instrumental in making sure the investments will be undertaken according to international best practices and standards,” said CEB Governor Rolf Wenzel.

Original source: CEB
Published on 13 February 2019