#DAPHNE Greening the public sector: modernization of the VMA hospital in Serbia as an example of decarbonization in healthcare
As part of the DAPHNE project - Decarbonisation of Healthcare in EU Regions, implemented under the Interreg Europe program, we continue to share good practices that demonstrate how healthcare facilities can reduce their carbon footprint and operate more energy-efficiently.
One such story is the experience of Serbia - the comprehensive modernization of the Military Medical Academy (VMA), one of the largest medical centers in Southeast Europe. The hospital, which provides highly specialized care and treats hundreds of thousands of patients every year, needed a major upgrade to meet modern standards of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
As part of the project, key measures were implemented to “green” the medical facility:
- Comprehensive thermal modernization of buildings, including facade insulation and window replacement
- Energy-efficient lighting, which significantly reduces electricity consumption
- Modernization of the heating system and installation of equipment for better heat energy control
- Modern ventilation and air conditioning, which improves comfort and reduces energy consumption
- Optimization of water management and efficient resource management
Thanks to the implemented measures, VMA has significantly reduced its energy consumption, building maintenance costs, and CO₂ emissions. This has not only improved conditions for patients and staff, but has also become one of the most ambitious examples of environmental modernization of public healthcare facilities in the region.
This experience demonstrates that green investments are not about costs, but about long-term efficiency, a healthy environment, and sustainable healthcare for the future.
More details about good practices:
“DAPHNE - Decarbonizing Healthcare in the EU Regions” project is implemented under the Interreg Europe Program, funded by the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author. The management of the Interreg Europe Program is not responsible for any information contained in this publication.