04.12.2023.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of defence Ivan Anušić, minister of health Vili Beroš, and director of the Fund Luka Balen attended the opening ceremony of the newly-built emergency hospital reception building, outpatient clinic, and outpatient surgery of Osijek Clinical Hospital (KBC Osijek).Among other things, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced the handing over of contracts related to the reduction of additional greenhouse gases for KBC Osijek and other health institutions, adding that in the light of the conference on climate change in Dubai, this was a concrete contribution by health institutions to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible.
Luka Balen, director of the Fund, presented four contracts for the installation of new cooling systems to KBC Osijek administrator Željko Zubčić. Balen expressed his appreciation of the fact that KBC Osijek will have new cooling systems installed that would reduce the consumption of ozone-depleting substances, for which almost 355 thousand euros were provided.
"In addition to innovative technology that dramatically reduces the negative impact on climate change, the new cooling units will ensure better energy efficiency and a reduction in energy consumption. I believe it is our common interest to engage in global efforts to mitigate climate change and its consequences. Given everything we do at the Fund, I believe that we are steering our society in the right direction, encouraging our economy, local self-government units and citizens to make efforts on a daily basis to change their environment for the better," said director Balen.
Ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases are used in cooling and air-conditioning devices. Once released into the atmosphere, their GWP is several thousand times that of carbon dioxide.
Croatia is investing substantial resources in the healthcare system, and the assistance provided by the Fund for new cooling units will contribute not only to the reduction and phasing-out of ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases, but to a higher quality of stay in the hospital for patients and working environment for hospital staff.
Director Balen accompanied the leading state officials on the visit to the new building of Osijek Clinical Hospital Centre, and attended the ceremony to mark the Day of the City of Osijek, and on that occasion presented Ivan Radić, the mayor of Osijek, with contracts worth 124 thousand euros for the replacement of two cooling systems in City administration buildings.
Under this programme, the Fund allocates funds to budget beneficiaries in the amount of up to EUR 3 million and the share of up to 100% of eligible costs - the total value of investment per one cooling unit by the end of the year or util the funds are used up.
Photo by: Croatian Government
