Advancing gender equality in healthcare: OSCE Mission provides gynaecological table to Berane hospital

Emphasizing the importance of equal access to healthcare for all women, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, in co-operation with the Municipality of Berane, provided the Clinical Center Berane with a modern gynaecological examination table adapted for women with disabilities. This initiative significantly improves access to and the quality of healthcare services in northern Montenegro. 

The equipment enables women with locomotor disabilities and older women to access preventive screenings, which can contribute to early detection of cancer and reduce mortality, especially considering that experience has shown that women often postpone such screenings when equipment is inaccessible.

The Director of the Berane Clinical Centre, Milorad Magdelinić, said that cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of illness and death from malignant diseases among women in Montenegro. “This is particularly concerning, given that cervical cancer is largely preventable. This modern equipment will find its use, as it has great importance not only for the citizens of Berane, but also for the people of this region,” said Magdelinić and thanked the Mission for its support.

The President of the Berane Municipality, Đole Lutovac, stated there are more than 1,000 women with disabilities living in the municipality of Berane. “Considering this number, we believe that this donation will be important for make them have preventive examinations. It is even more important if we know that women with disabilities often postpone preventive examinations because of inaccessible equipment, which increases the risk of late detection of health issues. This represents a significant step towards creating equal conditions for all patients,” stated Lutovac.

“By supporting the Clinical Center Berane in providing higher quality, more humane, and inclusive healthcare services, the Mission is taking an important step towards promoting equal access for all patients, in line with their rights to dignity and respect” said the Mission’s Democratization Programme Manager, Bernd Burwitz. 

The Mission will continue to foster gender equality and advocate for an inclusive approach in all spheres of life, including healthcare, education, communities and political participation in Montenegro.