Location:  Belgrade

Situation:

The union of Serbia and Montenegro is politically unstable because of the uncertainties over the status of the neighbouring regions – Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro – and of certain Serbian regions such as Voivodine and Kosovo. Following the conflicts and socio-economic upsets which shook this region in the 1990s and the clear absence of significant international cooperation, Serbia and Montenegro is also experiencing economic difficulties. Despite the prospect of European Union membership, and the numerous reforms undertaken, the provision of healthcare remains hugely problematic in Serbia, particularly for the most vulnerable communities. People who use drugs continue to be highly stigmatised, and Doctors of the World (DOW) is  involved in facilitating their access to substitution treatments and, more generally, to the national healthcare system.

Activities:

After years of work, negotiation and awareness campaigns on the authorities, DOW has finally obtained the authorisation to develop a methadone project within Savski Venac primary healthcare centre in Belgrade. It is a first in Serbia, where no service of the kind exists at this level. The centre opened in October 2009 and is totally  integrated within the local health system. DOW works in close collaboration with the Ministry for Health and organises training and awareness activities for local partners. A network has also been set up, bringing together organisations working on harm reduction in Serbia.

Outlook:

In 2010 the aim is to admit and monitor 120 patients. Also, the project looks at developing a network of practitioners at the primary healthcare level. Finally DOW envisages consolidation of its advocacy activities in relation to harm reduction.