Towards a Heart-Safe Cross-Border Area – HEART SAFE CBA

The project “Towards a Heart-Safe Cross-Border Area” – Heart Safe CBA aims to procure new equipment for emergency medical care in the cross-border region between Greece and North Macedonia. The procurement of new ambulances, defibrillators, ECG devices and training for healthcare professionals and citizens will enable a faster and more efficient response to heart attacks and other emergencies.

The main focus of the project is to strengthen the healthcare system and improve the preparedness of communities in the cross-border region between Greece and North Macedonia to deal with heart attacks and other health emergencies.

The key objectives are to improve cross-border healthcare through the procurement of modern medical equipment, strengthening the capacities of healthcare institutions and training in first aid and the use of defibrillators. Defibrillators will also be installed at the three border crossings in the South-East region, ensuring emergency assistance for both passengers and employees at these locations.

The Centre for Development of the South-East Planning Region plays a key role in the implementation of activities in North Macedonia. The Centre is responsible for the procurement of

• 4 ambulances
• 18 automatic defibrillators
• 6 semi-automatic defibrillators
• 6 ECG devices
• Training equipment

Within the framework of the project, the Centre will contribute to improving access to primary health care and strengthening the capacities of local communities in the municipalities of Strumica, Gevgelija, Radoviš and Valandovo. Through joint activities and knowledge exchange, the project creates safer and more resilient communities, prepared for timely response in emergency situations. Health workers will receive training in basic and advanced life support (BLS, ILS, ALS), which will increase their ability to deal with emergency situations. In all ten municipalities of the region, trainings on first aid in case of cardiac arrest will be organized for municipal employees, other institutions and the local population, which will increase the awareness and readiness of citizens to react in critical moments. The following trainings will be organized:

– BLS training 600 citizens
– B-CON training 500 citizens
– ILS training 75 participants
– ALS training 20 participants
– Training of trainers 25 participants

Through joint activities and continuous education of citizens, the project creates more efficient emergency response systems, increases the readiness of the local population to deal with critical situations and contributes to faster and more successful intervention in case of medical emergencies, thus ensuring safer and more resilient local communities.