Name and seat of the beneficiary:Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, Limbová 2, 837 52 Bratislava 37
Title of the project: Increased prevention and prevention measures to protect health workers and the population of the Slovak Republic from the spread of coronavirus pandemic and disease - COVID-19-II
Location of project: SR
Amount of NFP granted: 27 610 617,57 €
Period of implementation:05/2020-10/2022(with possibility of extension)
The national project will address as a priority:
- - support of preventive measures aimed at increasing the collective immunity of the population of the Slovak Republic through the purchase of sufficient quantities of pandemic vaccines against COVID-19 disease.
Vaccination plays an important role in saving lives, has a significant impact on the protection of health systems and, last but not least, will make a significant contribution to the recovery of the national economy. Based on medical research published currently, over 60% of the population is considered to be vaccinated to ensure sufficient collective immunity from COVID-19 disease. The purchase will be made subject to pandemic vaccines which have received a marketing authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 and have been procured by the European Commission. In addition to its medical importance, the purchase of vaccines within the national project will also contribute to reducing the impact of coronacrisis on public finances in line with the European Commission's strategy and financial rules.
- - support for the expansion of laboratory and diagnostic capacities. During the second pandemic wave, it was confirmed that the laboratory capacities, especially in the area of instrumentation, are not sufficient and adequate to provide diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The unpredictability of coronavirus spread in individual regions puts pressure on health institutions as well as the Office of Public Health of the Slovak Republic and its regional authorities, which provide activities related to the diagnosis and implementation of anti-epidemiological measures. In order to increase the speed of response to the situation, sufficient equipment and expansion of these laboratory capacities is necessary with technical and instrumental equipment, but also with personal protective work equipment for healthcare professionals.
- - under the national project support for hospital material and equipment, which is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of covid patients in individual departments in order to extend capacity and quality treatment options for patients with COVID-19 disease during further epidemic waves which cannot be predicted at present, but the massive second wave course has shown that the current capacity of hospitals in individual regions is insufficient.
During the second pandemic wave, the occupancy of beds with covid patients in hospitals reached a critical point and the current state of equipment at some hospital departments has proven insufficient and requires replacement and renewal of worn or malfunctioning devices in order to continue to provide adequate healthcare for covid patients at present but in particular to increase preparedness for the coming period.
- - building public confidence in vaccination. In the media on the Internet, we encounter misinformation about vaccination, which is likely to make the final introduction and use of vaccination more difficult. An important factor in the success of vaccination against COVID-19 disease is the timely access to clear and professional information to the widest possible public, which should be communicated through relevant media. An effective means of combating the spread of the disease is also consistent compliance with basic and very effective prevention by wearing a drape, keeping an appropriate distance and thoroughly washing hands (hand-off-arm). Therefore, it is important to get the ROR principle in mind among all target groups.
Support in the fight against COVID-19 disease results in coping with the strain associated with the peak of coronavirus infection, as it is a virus with a high degree of transmission, infectivity, complications and mortality. Sufficient preventive measures and technical equipment will increase the overall resilience of the health system.
The main objectives of the national project are:
- - to ensure adequate provision of healthcare to patients who are diagnosed with, or have symptoms of, COVID-19
- - increase testing capacity,
- - expand laboratory capacities to diagnose COVID-19,
- - to create barriers between staff and the source of the disease in order to minimise exposure and prevent transmission and further spread of the disease,
- - prevent the spread of infection between personnel (health care professionals) and patients,
- - to provide appropriate technical equipment and material-technical medical equipment following the development of an epidemic in a given region, area, particular medical facilities,
- - to ensure as much truth as possible about vaccination against COVID-19 disease and raise awareness of the importance of correct compliance with R-O-R principles.
- - to ensure increased protection of the population and health professionals from the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,
- - to increase the collective immunity of the population, which will contribute to strengthening the health system and adequate provision of healthcare to patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or patients with symptoms of the disease,
Support will be provided:
- the components of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, the Public Health Office and the Regional Public Health Office:
One of the main components in dealing with and eliminating epidemics and pandemics are public health establishments, the Public Health Office of the Slovak Republic and the regional public health authorities, which primarily provide activities and activities in the adoption and implementation of anti-epidemiological measures and laboratory techniques. These facilities will be equipped with adequate technical and instrumental equipment, laboratory equipment, and support will also be provided for the purchase of equipment, testing materials, the purchase of personal protective equipment for workers, the adaptation of the working environment and the creation of conditions to protect against unwanted disease spread. The purchase of COVID-19 vaccines that have received a marketing authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 and have been procured by the EC will be ensured through the Ministry of Health.
- of the Slovak Ministry of Defence:
The investments will be used to purchase the equipment needed for the expansion of the laboratories of the OSR SR central physician, which will allow a multiple increase in the current daily number of COVID-19 examinations and will allow for further investigation of other infectious diseases than COVID-19.
Given the situation during the 2nd pandemic wave and current information on new SARS-COV-19 mutations, expansion of laboratory capacities is essential to ensure early diagnosis and increase preparedness for further pandemic waves.
The second priority will be to purchase a mobile module with a level of protection up to BSL level 3 (Bio Safety Level 3). This module allows the isolation and treatment of patients with highly infectious diseases, including CODID-19 in overpressure units. It can be deployed separately or together with the ROLLE 2E hospital, anywhere in Slovakia (hospitals, airports, ports etc.). In view of the acute situation in constitutional health institutions which aviate high occupancy, the use of such mobile devices is highly likely to be necessary in the next period.
The project is co-financed by the European Union
European Regional Development Fund