Belgrade, March 17

Almost two years ago the Embassy received a “Make a WISH” request from the Clinical Center of the Republic of Serbia. Their desire was to introduce a new procedure into the clinical practice – Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) which is used to relieve pain and spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. For these young patients the only possibility for medical treatment – up to now – was to be sent to Turkey or the United States, at the expenses of the National Health Service. Very expensive treatment of Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy is a surgical method that partially intersects certain sensitive fibers in the spinal canal. Subsequently, spasticity is alleviated and further rehabilitation therapy can be used to improve the patient’s condition.

Medical device indispensable for this procedure is manufactured in the United States.

“Make a WISH” of the Clinical Center was to have the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Belgrade as determined partner in this project, together with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia and the Council for Philanthropy of the Government of Serbia.
“This will also significantly reduce the effort of patients and there will no longer be difficulties in terms of economic burdens and transport “- said Miloš Joković, director of the Clinic for Neurosurgery of the Clinical Center of Serbia on the day of official delivery of the device.

Half of the amount needed for the purchase of this device – several milion dinars – was donated by the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the Republic of Serbia together with LDS Charities Serbia (from Salt Lake City), and Manpower Group Serbia including the personal participation of the Director Mr. Aleksandar Hangimana.

Prof. Nenad Prokic, director of the project ” Make a WISH to the Order of Malta ” who attended the ceremony – in the name of the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the Republic of Serbia – expressed great satisfaction with the completion of this important project in cooperation with the Government of Serbia, thus confirming excellent bilateral relations between Serbia and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

In the photo above: Day of the official delivery of medical device for treatments of SelectiveDorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). Present at the Clinic for Neurosurgery (from left to right): Dr Vladimir Baščarević, Deputy Director of the Clinical Center Jovica Milovanović; the President of the Council for Philanthropy Mr. Veran Matić; the Director of the Clinic for Neurosurgery Dr. Miloš Joković; the Director of the project “Make a WISH” Prof. Nenad Prokic (in the name of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta); Mr. Larry Blake with the spouse Cheryll Blake representatives of the LDS Charities Serbia and Mr. Aleksandar Hangimana Director of Manpower Group Serbia.