Novi Sad, 13 November 2020 – Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM) donated the equipment and material for rapid COVID-19 detection to the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’.

On behalf of the Republic of Serbia, SRBATOM as state authority requested form the International Atomic Energy Agency assistance in equipping a PCR testing laboratory, which was accepted in the light of COVID-19 suppression. The delivery of the equipment, worth approximately 85,000 euros, took place today at the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’.

On behalf of the Republic of Serbia, SRBATOM as state authority requested form the International Atomic Energy Agency assistance in equipping a PCR testing laboratory, which was accepted in the light of COVID-19 suppression. The delivery of the equipment, worth approximately 85,000 euros, took place today at the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’.

“We want to express our gratitude to SRBATOM for recognizing that the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’ can contribute to rapid diagnostics of COVID-19. The donation we received contains very valuable equipment such as Biosafety Cabinet level III which enables us to deal with the most dangerous disease agents, but primarily for COVID-19 detection. So far, the Institute has tested around 12,000 samples, but the equipment we received is multifunctional and will be a valuable support in the diagnostics o viruses and bacteria that cause grave communicable diseases with domestic animals as well” said Dr Sava Lazic, the Director of the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’.

The Director of Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM), Mr Sladjan Velinov stated that at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, SRBATOM initiated the request for the donation of the equipment for PCR testing laboratories from the International Atomic Energy Agency. He pointed out that three laboratories had been equipped with the most cutting-edge equipment Serbia hadn’t possessed by then.

Chief of Department for Virusology, Mr Tamas Patrovic said that the donated equipment contributes to the capacity building in the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’ for the diagnostics and detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus, which means that the laboratory’s current capacity counts 300 samples a day. So far, Biosafety Cabinets II and III have arrived, where the latter enables work with highly pathogenic live viruses. The equipment also includes REAL TIME PCR tests with the follow-up material for test performance, as well as reagents and laboratory consumables. This was followed by a significant consignment of personal protective gear and sampling gear ensuring safe laboratory work.

In addition to the Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’, SRBATOM also donated the equipment to the Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, and the Veterinary Specialist Institute “Kraljevo” with a single aim – to apply nuclear technologies for swift detection of corona virus in order to maintain constant control of the incremental number of the infected. The total value of all donations amounts to 230,000 euros.

Novosadskom Institutu za veterinarstvo oprema iz Beča za brzu detekciju virusa korone