Belgrade, July-October 2020

It seems so far in time when on July 31, 2019 we 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 was to be sent abroad, at the expenses of the National Health Service. The 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.

Currently, the Clinical Center has a specialized team cooperating with foreign experts who will help them to establish this procedure here in Serbia. In order to start, they need to acquire a 16-channel Intraoperative neuro-monitoring system. This device – once the project is completed – will allow treatments in Serbia with evident clinical advantages thus saving funds that can be allocated to those cases indinspensable to treatments outside the country.

Medical device is manufactured in the United States and it costs several tens of thousands euros. “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.

The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta received this decision with undisguised enthusiasm. In order to be carried out, it was necessary to contact our loyal partners always ready to support our initiatives: LDS Charities Serbia as well as Manpower Group Serbia (including personal participation of the Director Mr. Hangimana).

The document that officially established cooperation on this project was signed at the end of July 2020, and it is planned to be completed by the end of the year.

In the photo above: The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in the Republic of Serbia – on the occasion of the National Day of Giving – received recognition for its long-term successful humanitarian work. The award was presented by the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans’ Affairs and Social Affairs, Zoran Djordjevic, at a ceremony held at the Botanical Garden in Belgrade.