05.08.2020.

Minister Vulin: Serbian Armed Forces have shown once again that they belong to everyone

The Minister of Defence, Aleksandar Vulin, attended today the disengagement of the military field hospital in Novi Pazar and the members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces from the Community Health Centre Sjenica, given that the epidemiological situation in those towns is under control and that it is much better than it was in the previous period.

According to Minister Vulin, the Serbian Armed Forces have fulfilled the orders of the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, AleksandarVučić, and have done everything to help epidemiological situation in Novi Pazar get better.

- All members of the Medical Corps performed all their tasks, helped people both here and in other places, and I share the feeling of great pride with all members of the armed forces and citizens of Serbia, when I see what kind of doctors and nurses we have in the military health care. These people did not ask where they were going or why. It was only necessary to give them a task and they would do their best to help the citizens of Novi Pazar, Sjenica and Tutin. They all left their families. No one went on leave, most of them have been here since 3 July, working non-stop and not asking when they would finish. The armed forces are proud to have such people, and all citizens of Serbia can feel calm and secure with such armed forces, because they know that in times of trouble Serbian Armed Forces will be there to help –said Minister Vulin and emphasized that the Serbian Armed Forces are the armed forces of all citizens.

- We are not interested in anyone’s religion or nationality. We just need the opportunity to help and to be given a task. The Serbian Armed Forces have shown once again that they belong to everyone, that they are welcome in every part of the Republic of Serbia and that it is always good news to see your armed forces – said the Minister of Defence.

The commander of the military field hospital in Novi Pazar, Colonel Predrag Krstić, MD, pointed out that during the period of 33 days of operation, 174 Covid patients were successfully taken care of in the hospital, and that there were no deaths.

- By implementing strict measures of personal self-protection and keeping distance, the goal was achieved, namely, none of the medical staff of the field hospital got infected – said Colonel Krstić, thanking the leaders of the municipalities of Novi Pazar and Sjenica, as well as the employees of the hospitals in Novi Pazar and Sjenica, for exceptional cooperation during the operation of the military field hospital.

The Coordinator of the General Hospital Novi Pazar, Dr Mirsad Đerlek said that a month and a half ago, a serious epidemic was declared in Novi Pazar and that the President of the Republic and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces responded to his requestpromptly.

- I knew that at that moment we could not beat the affliction called the coronavirus on our own. The next day, the armed forces arrived, a military hospital was set up and it turned out that it was an extremely good move because on 8 Julywe had 100 admissions in a single night and we placed 78 patients in the military hospital. Imagine what would have happened to us that night if there hadn’t been for the Serbian Armed Forces – said Dr Đerlek and added that the armed forces have once again shown that they attend to the needs of everyone in Serbia, regardless of their religion and nationality“.

- I was encouraged by the fact that the people accepted their armed forces and that together we did our best and that we came almost to the end. We must always be careful. Doctors from all around Serbia came, from the region, the military, and we breathed as one – Dr Đerlek said and thanked the armed forces on behalf of the employees of the General Hospital Novi Pazar and on his own behalf.

By the orders of the Minister of Defence, Predrag Krstić and Petar Ristić received early promotions to the rank of Colonel, Ivan Popović – to the rank of Captain First Class, and Aleksandar Nikolić – to the rank of Sergeant Major First Class, for exceptional commitment and contribution to the fight against the Covid-19.
The Head of the Military Health Department, Major General UglješaJovičić, awarded certificates of appreciation to prominent businesses from Novi Pazar and Sjenicathat provided assistance to the military field hospital in Novi Pazar – hotels “S”, “Palma”, Lux A” and “Lane”, “Avio” Apartments, “Kvele” motel, as well as the companies “Mizan”, “Maxers, Ltd”, “Rile” and “Reško”.

According to the national shot put record holder, AsmirKolašinac, human life does not have a price and no Olympic Games, world or European championships or medals are more important than that.

- I didn’t think for a single moment whether I should join the fight to help my people, especially since all members of my family were infected and placed exactly in the military Covid infirmary in Novi Pazar. On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I thank all members of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Military Medical Academy who were there and who helped – said Kolašinac, emphasizing that we are in a situation where we must help each other at all times and that he is proud of the armed forces which proved that they were with their people in the most difficult moments.

On behalf of the owner of the “Palma” hotel, all employees and fellow citizens of Novi Pazar, Mubera Zećirović thanked the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces for their “knowledge, desire, effort, sacrifice and immeasurable bravery”.

- Wehave done only a little for youwhile you were saving the lives of our fellow citizens. With your arrival, things improved considerably, maybe because the Serbian Armed Forces look “powerful” and because your presence helped everyone understand the seriousness of the situation – said the representative of the “Palma” hotel.

On behalf of the “Mizan” company from Novi Pazar, a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Defence was received by Samra Čeković, who said that the “Mizan” company did help prevent the consequences of the Covid-19, but that the true heroes are the members of the Serbian Armed Forces.

- They were available to our citizens 24 hours a day and helped save people’s lives and improve the situation in Novi Sad to a great extent. And I thank them for that from the bottom of my heart. It is well known that in difficult situations people always gather, unite and become stronger. In this situation we were united and we beat Covid-19 – said SamraČeković, wishing that the occasion of future meetings and socializing would be better.

Today’s activity in Novi Pazar was attended by the Deputy Army Commander, Brigadier General Vladeta Baltić, the Head of the Military Medical Academy, Colonel Miroslav Vukosavljević and the Deputy Commander of the Second Army Brigade, Colonel Muharem Fazlić.