Since 2022, a new phase of support for cardiovascular diseases, which are a priority public health issue in Mongolia, has continued with the same partners: the Shastin Hospital/National Cardiovascular Centre (NCC) and Luxembourg’s National Institute for Interventional Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology (INCCI). The implementation of the new programme will, like previous phases, again focus on supporting the ten-year State Policy on Health (2017-2026).
During 2024, two years after the start of this next phase, significant progress was made. To strengthen local capacity, four cardiologists received six-month overseas training placements, while ten nurses participated in a week-long training in Turkey. In addition, on-site training was provided by visiting experts from the INCCI, Ruijing Hospital and CHA Bundang Medical Center in South Korea.
In the same year, the Mncardio telemedicine tool was improved, thus upgrading the cardiac care infrastructure in Mongolia. In addition, Luxembourg reaffirmed its commitment to financially support the establishment of the NCC in discussions with Mongolia’s Ministry of Finance. A new financing mechanism for the support of the NCC has been approved by the Luxembourg government and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The facility includes a loan from the EBRD to finance the construction of the NCC, accompanied by a Luxembourg grant for the installation of equipment and the provision of technical assistance from LuxDev, which will coordinate the construction and fitting out of the NCC. This comprehensive support also includes capacity building, human resource development and the full operational launch of the NCC.