01.03.2013.

Marking the Day of the Military Medical Academy

The formal ceremony at the Central Military Club today marked the 169th anniversary of the Military Medical Academy. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Diković, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, church dignitaries and many guests.

Speaking about the MMA, the results of the work in the period since the last anniversary and plans for future work of that important military medical institution, Head of the MMA, Brigadier General Prof. Marijan Novakovic said that this house is the synonym of tradition and trust, the institution that best represents its country in the region and the world.

- We are proud of our tradition, but we live and work in the present looking at the future. We are first and foremost a military hospital, but we do not divide patients to the military and the civilian ones but each is paid attention in accordance with the available capacities – General Novakovic said.

He highlighted the importance of scientific research which is primarily aimed at improving the medical treatment. He pointed out that enrolment of the fifth generation of cadets at the MMA Medical Faculty within the University of Defence in Belgrade is underway, which will provide continuous replenishment of military doctors in the military health system of Serbia.

General N

ovakovic reminded, also, of the results of last year's work, expansion of capacities of surgical intensive care unit, acquisition of multi-layer computed tomography and seven modern ultrasound devices. In addition, he announced purchase of new equipment, the introduction of modern methods of treatment, the improvement of the medical profession and the professional development of personnel, intensified international cooperation, combating corruption and creating conditions for the further improvement of living standard of personnel.

- When it comes to health care, it can and must always be better, and more, both regarding the funds invested in health care, and qualifying of our personnel to implement new methods of treatment. However, what must not be missing are nice and warm words, accompanied by a smile for each patient and that is what we will continue to insist on – the Head of MMA said.

The ceremony was an opportunity to present the awards for the results achieved in the previous period, so that the clinic which was declared as the best one at the MMA for the fifth consecutive year, was the Department of Emergency Internal Medicine. The Acting Chief of the Department, Colonel Dr Milic Markovic was presented the award by the Head of the MMA.

For the fifth consecutive year, on the occasion of the MMA Day, the medals "Dr Vladan Djordjevic" are awarded to the best Serbian surgeons, and the winners of this year's awards are Colonel Prof. Jovan Jablanov, a cardiac surgeon, who spent most of his working life in MMA, and Academician Prof. Zoran Krivokapic, full professor of Medical Faculty in Belgrade and Head of the Department for Colorectal Surgery of the First Surgical Clinic, Clinical Centre of Serbia. Medals were handed to them by the Head of the Group of MMA Surgeries Colonel Prof. Nebojsa Jovic.

Professor Aneta Lakić of the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry of Children and Youth, Clinical Center of Serbia, who is Associate Professor at the Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade was declared as the author of the year of the "Military Medical Review," in 2012. Lieutenant Colonel Prof. Slobodan Obradovic with the MMA Department of Emergency Medicine, associate professor of Internal Medicine at the MMA Medical Faculty of the University of Defence in Belgrade was selected as a reviewer of the year of the "Military Medical Review". The author and reviewer of the year of the "Military Medical Review" were presented the awards by the Head of the Department for the Military Health Care Brigadier General Prof. Zoran Popovic.

The MMA Day is marked on 2nd March to commemorate the 2nd March 1844 when Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic signed a Decree declaring the "Act on establishment of the Central Army Hospital".