This project was implemented under the Cross-border Cooperation Programme for Poland-Belarus-Ukraine
2014-2020:

• Thematic Objective: Security
• Priority 3.1 Support to the development of health protection and social services;

Duration of the project: 01.03.2019-31.08.2021

Participants of the project:

1. the Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska – the Lead Beneficiary
2. the Brest Regional Clinical Hospital in Brest – the Beneficiary

Overall objective

To increase epidemiological safety provided to residents of the border area, improve accessibility of health services and raise awareness on infectious diseases and their risks.

Specific objectivies

To increase cooperation between the hospitals located within the Polish-Belarusian border area in the field of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.

To exchange experience and cooperation of medical staff in the treatment of patients with highly-dangerous infectious diseases.

To raise awareness among the population on hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, risks of their infection and need for periodic medical check-ups.

• Purchase of medical equipment and expansion of the pneumatic transport system in Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska.
• Purchase of medical equipment for Brest Regional Clinical Hospital.
• Trainings for doctors and nurses.
• Opening conference in Poland and closing conference in Belarus.
• Screening tests for early HCV detection.
• Promotion of the project.
• Health promotion.
• Project management.
• Financial audit.
• Anti COVID-19 measures.

1. Increase the potential of both hospitals located within the Polish-Belarusian border area in the treatment of infectious diseases, including highly-dangerous ones.
2. Implement a new medical procedure (non-invasive examination of liver by elastography) in the partner hospitals.
3. Raise knowledge and exchange experience among medical staff of both hospitals in the field of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
4. Raise awareness of residents within the border area on HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C and provide them with an opportunity to be tested for early detection of HCV infection.

In order to efficiently implement the project, the partner hospitals jointly established a project team which was accountable for the implementation of individual tasks and the achievement of the project objectives and results as planned. The team was composed of staff members from both hospitals with relevant experience in the implementation of EU projects and practical knowledge to perform tasks entrusted to them:

• Project Coordinator – at the Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska side
• Medical Coordinator – at the part of the Brest Regional Clinical Hospital in Brest side
• Public Procurement Specialist – at the Polish side
• Public Procurement Specialist – at the Belarusian side
• Equipment Specialist – at the Polish side
• Equipment Specialist – at the Belarusian side
• Financial Specialist – at the Polish side
• Financial Specialist – at the Belarusian side
• Training Specialist  – at the Polish side
• Training Specialist – at the Belarusian side

The project staff carried out substantive project activities at the organizational level, in accordance with the adopted schedule of the activities. At the strategic level the Steering Committe, composed of the Director of the Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska and the Director of the Brest Regional Clinical Hospital in Brest, supervised the proper implementation of the project.

The project was co-financed at 73,80% by the European Union (European Neighbourhood Instrument) under the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020. The remaining 26.2% came from the Partners’ own resources.

Total project value: 2.805.018,12 EUR, including:

Planned activities in Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska: 441.403,66 EUR

Planned activities in Brest Regional Clinical Hospital in Brest: 2.363.614,46 EUR

Total UE funds: 2.070.103,37 EUR, including:

UE funds for Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska: 325.755,90 EUR

UE funds for Brest Regional Clinical Hospital in Brest: 1.744.347,47 EUR

Hepatitits C

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Infection with this virus causes inflammation which develops in liver cells (hepatocytes), resulting in necro-inflammatory changes within the organ.

Approx. 170 million people worldwide are infected with the HCV. As estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), approx. 71 million people in the world are chronically infected with the HCV (with the presence of HCV-RNA), i.e. approx. 1% of the population. There are 19 million people infected with the HCV in Europe. It is estimated that 1.4 million deaths worldwide are caused annually by the long-term consequences of chronic infections with viruses which cause hepatitis B or C (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma). In Poland, there are almost 200,000 people infected with the HCV, which causes hepatitis C. Every year, up to 3,000 new cases of HCV infection are diagnosed in Poland, and up to 3,500 patients are treated per year, with approx. 10-15% of them dying due to the late diagnosis of this disease.

From 2002 to 2019, more than 42,000 cases of HCV infection were diagnosed in Belarus, with more than 23% of patients dying prematurely due to the disease being detected too late. The incidence of acute hepatitis in Brest Oblast has increased in recent years and has remained at a constant level: 2016 – 21 cases, 2017 – 33, 2018 – 32, 2019 – 30. In 2020, significantly fell to 17 cases. In the last 5 years, the number of diagnosed primary cases of chronic hepatitis C ranged from approx. 63% in 2016 to approx. 75% in 2020.

Risk factors

The HCV is transmitted through blood. Every procedure and circumstances in which the continuity of skin or mucous membranes is broken poses a risk of infection if, at the same time, such damaged skin or mucous membranes come into contact with infected person’s blood, for example:

• in health care facilities (injections, drips, surgical procedures and operations, dialysis, endoscopies),

• in dental surgeries (dental procedures, placement of implants),

• in beauty parlours (ear piercing, botox, manicure, pedicure),

• in acupuncture clinics,

• in hairdressing salons (shaving with a razor, injuries using scissors),

• in tattoo and piercing studios,

• when taking drugs intravenously or intranasally while sharing accessories,

• when sharing a razor, manicure clippers and even a toothbrush,

• in contact with blood in connection with work or accidentally, e.g. during a crash, fight, also practicing contact sports – judo, boxing),

• vertically, when the child is infected by the mother during pregnancy and childbirth,

• during an unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among men having sex with men.

A risk of infection through sexual contact is estimated to be negligible. However, it increases in case of damaged and inflamed skin and mucous membranes within the genital area, anus and mouth. Hepatitis C infection is not a contraindication to pregnancy. A risk of mother-to-child transmission during childbirth is estimated at 3-5%. There are no contraindications to breastfeeding by the mother infected with hepatitis C.

Diagnostics, treatment, prevention

The basic test for hepatitis C is to identify anti-HCV antibodies in the patient’s blood, which appear in the blood approx. 7 weeks after infection. Earlier (1-3 weeks after infection), HCV RNA (the genetic material of this virus) can be identified in blood, but infection cannot be ruled out on the basis of a single negative result, as HCV RNA appears in infected person’s blood periodically. Moreover, ALT, AST, bilirubin, GGTP (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase), the indicators of liver condition, can be determined with blood testing.

HCV infection is mostly with no characteristic symptoms and may only manifest itself after a long period of time in the form of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. More than 85% of infected people may have no specific symptoms, so patients usually find out about this infection accidentally. If HCV infection lasts more than 6 months, it is referred to as chronic hepatitis C. Approx. 20-40 % of acute infections recede spontaneously, whereas only approx. 0.02 % of patients with chronic hepatitis C recover. Hepatitis C is more secretive than hepatitis caused by other types of the hepatitis virus. Its acute form occurs in 5-10% of infected individuals. The infection is asymptomatic in approx. 90% cases, even though the HCV virus is still very active in the patient’s body. 50-75% of infected individuals develop chronic sequences of this disease, including among others: chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer.

Cirrhosis is the most common complication of hepatitis C, which develops when no effective treatment is provided. A risk of cirrhosis is increased, among others, by alcohol consumption, age over 40, smoking, overweight and obesity, coexisting HBV or HIV infection. There is also a risk of hepatitis C developing extrahepatic complications. Renal, skin, neurological, rheumatological and haematological complications may occur. Hepatocellular carcinoma can also be a complication of hepatitis C. It develops in approx. 3-5% of patients with chronic hepatitis C within 20 years of infection.

• Hepatitis C is treated pharmacologically as well as non-pharmacologically. Pharmacological therapy is based on the application of medicines such as interferon, ribavirin and direct antiviral drugs. For several years now, antiviral medicines known as DAAs (Direct Acting Antivirals) have been available, which also provide highly effective treatment with a high safety profile, negligible side-effects and short therapy (only three months). In the case of severe liver damage, when pharmacological treatment gives less improvement than expected, surgical treatment i.e. a liver transplant becomes necessary. One of the key recommendations to implement in everyday life is to stop drinking alcohol, eat properly, increase physical activity, and reduce smoking. In cases of severe and irreversible liver damage, only an organ transplant may be the one-and-only therapy option.

No vaccination against hepatitis C has currently been available, so the only way to prevent infection is to avoid risks of its infection. The public awareness of the issue and knowledge on the prevention of HCV infection is also essential. 28 July is the World Hepatitis Day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) analyses show that treatment at current rates cannot prevent the rise in cirrhosis and primary liver cancer by 2030, when they may peak. In order to significantly improve the statistics, the level of their detection and the number of people treated would need to be increased at least fourfold.¹⁰ In 2016 the WHO adopted the global strategy on hepatitis i.e. to eliminate hepatitis B and C by 2030. The document covers a number of objectives related to the prevention and treatment of hepatitis, the implementation of which will reduce the annual number of deaths by 65 per cent and raise the cure rate to 80 per cent, saving as many as 7.1 million lives by 2030. These objectives include:

90% of new-borns vaccinated against hepatitis B immediately after birth,

• • 100% donated blood tested,

  • 90% safety in needle puncture,

  • 90% of patients aware of this disease,

  • 80% patents covered with treatment.

 

HIV/AIDS

Epidemiology

HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus. The virus primarily attacks cells in the immune system i.e. leukocytes, which are found in the blood, bone marrow, the digestive system and central nervous system. As the disease progresses, a number of white blood cells decreases, leading to weakened immunity. Untreated HIV infection leads to AIDS which stands for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and death as a consequence. HIV infection is incurable, but early treatment gives a chance for a comfortable life.

There are 38 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, 1.7 million people were diagnosed with HIV infection in 2019 and 690,000 people died from AIDS-related diseases.

In Poland, by the end of 2020, there were approx. 26,500 infected in total, approx. 3,800 patients developed AIDS and approx. 1,100 patients died. In Belarus, by 2020, approx. 28,000 infections were diagnosed, nearly 3,500 people had AIDS, and approx. 1,400 people died.

Risk factors

HIV infection can occur in one of three ways:

• through blood – when infected blood gets on damaged skin or mucous membranes (e.g. in the eye, nose, mouth or genitals) or when using needles and syringes shared with others; it is risky, for example, to get a tattoo or piercing in unprofessional studios which fail to sterilise equipment properly or to inject drugs intravenously with unsterile needles,

• through unprotected sexual contact – approx. 80% of all infections (condom reduces a risk of HIV infection by 80-95%),

• from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding – women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take an HIV test to protect their baby from potential infection.

HIV infection cannot occur when:

• living with an infected person, using shared plates, glasses, cutlery,

• using the same toilet and bathroom (own toothbrush and razor should be used),

• when playing sport, e.g. in a swimming pool,

• when sneezing or coughing,

• when touching or kissing,

• through sweat, saliva, tears, urine or faeces (if blood is not present),

• when donating blood (using only disposable equipment),

• during professional contacts.

Diagnostics, treatment, prevention

The best way to diagnose HIV infection is to take a blood test for HIV. The test involves examining a blood sample, usually taken from a vein in the elbow bend, to check for the presence of:

• anti-HIV antibodies, which are produced in the infected person’s body to fight the virus,

• p24 antigen, which also indicates the presence of HIV.

Tests for HIV belong to the so-called 3rd and 4th generation tests. Their results are often known the very next day, sometimes 2 to 3 days later. A wide access to HIV tests significantly allows for the early detection of this infection as well as its effective therapy. A negative result means that the person is probably not infected with the virus. However, 100% certainty is reached when at least 3 months passes from being potentially infected to this test. A positive test result should always be confirmed by a confirmation test (e.g. Western Blot test). Only a positive result of this confirmation test indicates the infection. Then the person should see a doctor who treats people with HIV as soon as possible.

Quick anti-HIV tests – which can give a result within 15-30 minutes – are also available. For such tests capillary blood is usually taken from a finger or an ear lobe. A dry drop of blood, saliva, or urine can be used for some tests. Fast anti-HIV tests have lower diagnostic sensitivity than conventional immunoenzymatic screening tests, so their positive result requires to be confirmed by other immunoenzymatic tests, followed by confirmation tests.

Initially, the course of HIV infection may be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, making early diagnosis of this disease difficult. The first symptoms of HIV infection (acute retroviral disease) occur in most infected persons within 2-4 weeks of infection. They appear suddenly and last approx. 3 weeks.

The most common symptoms of this acute retroviral disease are as follows:

• fever,

• nausea,

• muscular-articular pains,

• maculo-papular rash, with face, trunk and hand dermatitis,

• headaches, sore throat,

• enlarged lymph nodes,

• abdominal pain with diarrhoea and loss of appetite.

These symptoms do not occur in each and every infected patient. This phase of HIV infection can also be completely asymptomatic. After the initial symptoms of HIV infection disappear, a period of asymptomatic infection starts, which lasts 8-10 years on average. Headaches and chronic fatigue develop in a high percentage of patients in the final asymptomatic phase prior to the onset of AIDS. The infected person has enlarged lymph nodes with their diameter of more than 1 cm being present for more than three months in at least two places apart from the groin. The spleen also enlarges significantly. Patients are more likely to suffer from infections within the skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. They can contract pneumonia, shingles, tuberculosis. Viral, bacterial and fungal infections, which rarely cause serious problems for people with their efficient immune system, cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, diseases in people with HIV-impaired immunity.

Early detected HIV infection can be successfully treated. Such treatment of HIV infection involves the simultaneous combined application of several medicines out of five different groups of antiretrovirals. To plan properly and conduct antiretroviral therapy, it is necessary to perform the test, among others HIV RNA viral load, CD4/CD8 lymphocyte count. This antiretroviral treatment is aimed to improve the health of people living with HIV, rebuild their immune system, reduce a risk of AIDS development, reduce their infectivity and thus reduce a risk of other people’s infection. Dissemination of antiretroviral therapy in AIDS patients has contributed to a decrease in the mortality rate of people suffering from AIDS, a reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis, which occurs in HIV-infected and AIDS patients as the so-called opportunistic infection, reducing the number of infections due to low immunity and AIDS-related cancer incidence.

1 December is the World AIDS Day. There is no effective vaccine against HIV, nor is it possible to cure the disease completely. The basic methods of its prevention include using condoms during sexual intercourse, limiting the number of sexual partners, using only disposable equipment (needles and syringes) e.g. during blood collection and sterilisation of tools in tattoo studios and hairdressing salons.

National AIDS Center

 

COVID-19

Epidemiology

COVID-19 stands for an acute infectious disease within the respiratory system caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In November 2019, the disease was diagnosed for the first time in the capital of the Chinese province of Hubei-Wuhan. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to this day.

By end 2021, more than 300 million cases of infection were confirmed worldwide, with more than 5,3 million deaths and more than 190 million recoveries. The highest number of infections was found in the USA with more than 55 million, India with more than 30 million, Brazil with more than 20 million, France, Russia, Turkey, he UK with even 10 million and more, Argentina, Colombia, Italy with more 5 million, Germany, Spain with over 3.5 million. During this period, about 4 million infections were diagnosed in Poland, including over 3 million people recovered. Over 1 mln people have been detected in Belarus cases of infections (over 600,000 people recovered).

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the highest number of COVID-19 deaths worldwide by the end 2021 have been recorded in the United States with over 800,000, Brazil with over 500,000, India with more than 400,000, Mexico with over 270,000, Italy and the United Kingdom with over 130,000, France with over 100,000. In a similar period in total, more than 90,000 deaths were recorded in Poland, more than 5,000 in Belarus.

By the end of May 2021, in the Republic of Belarus, the incidence was 4,147.4 per 100,000. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Brest Oblast corresponds to the level of infections throughout the country. population of Brest District shows a decrease in the incidence. Over 90% of all COVID-19 deaths are in working-age adults and the elderly.

Diagnostics, treatment, prevention

In March 2020, researchers from Toronto isolated the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which was an important step in the development of a drug and vaccines against COVID-19. The most important part of diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection are diagnostic tests to detect the current or past presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Based on the type of material to be detected, the following types of tests are provided:

• detecting the genetic material of this virus (also called molecular or genetic tests – using the genetic method for determining the virus – Real-time PCR),

• detecting the virus envelope (antigen tests).

Genetic and antigen testing requires the patient to have a throat or nasopharyngeal swab. Rapid antigen tests are portable and easy to perform, they do not require additional equipment or specialized personnel compared to antigen tests. In the case of the antigen test, the result is available to the patient on site within 15-30 minutes, although not always correct. These tests are slightly less sensitive than molecular tests, so negative results may not rule out infection, especially if symptoms persist. Genetic tests for SARS-CoV-2 are performed from May 2020 at the Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska on a modern laboratory (genetic) Real-time PCR analyser for COVID-19 diagnostics, purchased among others under the project entitled: “Improvement of epidemiological safety at the Polish-Belarusian border area”. The waiting time for the result does not exceed 3-4 hours. In addition, there are also tests which detect antibodies developed in humans in response to a viral infection (antibody tests). Results of antibody tests (immunological/serological tests) are a prerequisite to assess whether SARS-CoV-2 infection has occurred in the past. As antibodies may not appear until several weeks after infection, serological tests are less useful in the diagnosis of active infection but can be used to assess the spread of this disease, which helps estimate mortality.

By end 2021, more than 3000 patients were hospitalised in the Regional Specialised Hospital in Biała Podlaska, and more than 5000 – in the Brest Regional Clinical Hospital in Brest. The disease is spread mainly from person to person by droplets, usually from coughing or sneezing. Its incubation period usually ranges from 2 to 14 days, with an average duration of 5 days. The course of this disease may vary. As part of anti-epidemic measures, infected people are referred to home isolation, isolation or hospital. Most patients (approx. 81%) may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms which are similar to other upper respiratory diseases, which recede after approx. two weeks: fever, dry cough, fatigue and shallow breathing. Less common symptoms include expectoration of sputum, headache, chills, haemoptysis, chest pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, sore throat. Most cases of this disease are mild, but some can lead to pneumonia or multi-organ failure. Some patients may have acute (14%) or critical (5%) form of this disease, which requires 3 to 6 weeks to heal. The developing infection of this virus can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (the patient’s breathing is supported with a bedside ventilator), sepsis and septic shock, and death. The most common incubation period for this virus is up to 14 days, with a median of 5-6 days.

Healers can also develop complications that affect many organs in the body. They often require further treatment and long-term rehabilitation. The healers most often complain, among others. for: fatigue, headaches, impaired concentration, hair loss, shortness of breath, taste disturbances, loss of smell, rapid breathing, cough, joint pain. Less frequently, sweating, chest pain, dyspnoea, nausea, vomiting, memory loss, hearing impairment, anxiety, depression, eating disorders with weight loss, sleep problems, short-term fever and pain may occur.

The treatment of COVID-19 is largely symptomatic, supportive and experimental. Symptomatic treatment usually aims to eliminate symptoms and to support the body operation. Numerous independent studies have been underway to treat COVID-19 with currently used antiviral medicines. In 2021 one of them – remdesivir – has been recognised to be the first promising medicine in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. The European Medicines Agency has approved the application of remdesivir for patients suffering from COVID-19. Remdesivir is an antiviral medicine developed to treat Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Its effectiveness was confirmed against SARS and MERS coronaviruses in vitro, in animal testing, and against SARS-CoV-2. It works by blocking viral RNA polymerase and interferes with the production of viral genetic material, which prevents the virus from replication. In line with some clinical tests conducted in the UK and USA, it reduces recovery (from 15 to 11 days) for COVID-19 patients by approx. 30%. Severe cases of this infection can be promisingly treated with specially-prepared blood plasma containing specific antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus provided by COVID-19 convalescents.

Since December 2020, mass vaccination against COVID-19 with various authorised vaccines (among others: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV/Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik V) has been conducted worldwide to develop the highest possible population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. By end 2021, nearly 9 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered worldwide with more than 3 bilion people being fully vaccinated. During this period, a total of over 40 million vaccinations were conducted in Poland with over 21 million people fully vaccinated. In the same period, there were more than 3 million vaccinations conducted in Belarus, with more than 1 milion people being fully vaccinated. Since December 2020, vaccination against COVID-19 is also carried out at the Regional Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska, in which more than 100,000 were carried out by end 2021 vaccinations.

Among others, it should be remembered to wash hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 30 minutes, keep a physical distance from people with flu-like symptoms, and avoid touching face with unwashed hands. Physical distance from other people should be at least 1 metre outdoors, and 1.5-2 metres or more is recommended indoors. It is also recommended to frequently wash and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, tables, countertops, doors, etc.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also highlights the need for adequate ventilation and reduction of time spent indoors because closed rooms, crowded places and too close contact are among the key risk factors. The WHO also recommends people who have flu-like symptoms to stay at home until they recede, even if such symptoms are of low intensity (mild headache and runny nose). Limiting contact with other people lets to considerably reduce a risk of infecting oneself and others. The WHO recommends wearing protective masks in places where it is difficult to keep social distance, e.g. public transport, shops, churches and other crowded places.

 

Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020

The Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine (CBC Poland-Belarus-Ukraine) supports cross-border development processes on the borderland of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine by co-funding a series of projects. All projects supported by the Program are non-commercial in nature and contribute to improving the life quality of the inhabitants of eastern Poland, western Ukraine and Belarus.

The Programme covers 316,300 km2 inhabited by approx. 20 million people. Under the 2014-2020 planning, the Programme is run under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), which is a financial instrument of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), addressing common challenges in the range of environment, culture, public health as well as safety and security.

The Poland-Belarus-Ukraine Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020, with over EUR 170 million in funding allocated to 167 projects, is the largest European Union cross-border programme.

The key objective of the Programme for 2014-2020 is to support cross-border development processes through the implementation of numerous partnership projects implemented under the four thematic objectives and the following priorities:

HERITAGE

Priority 1.1 Promotion of local culture and history.

Priority 1.2 Promotion and preservation of natural heritage

ACCESSIBILITY

Priority 2.1 Improvement and development of transport services and infrastructure.

Priority 2.2 Development of ICT infrastructure.

SECURITY

Priority 3.1 Support to the development of health protection and social services.

Priority 3.2 Addressing common security challenges.

BORDERS

Priority 4.1 Support to border efficiency and security.

Priority 4.2 Improvement of border management operations, customs and visas procedure.

Each project funded by the Programme achieves significant cross-border effects, not only through partnership established between the institutions, but above all through the results of operations and their positive impact on the border area and its inhabitants. Implementation of the Thematic Objective: Security, under which the hospitals in Biała Podlaska and Brest undertook the implementation of a joint project, serves to improve the life quality of inhabitants of the Programme area by facilitating their access to the health care system, preventing the spread of diseases across the borders, and developing social services and the labour market along with reducing unemployment.

The first edition of the CBC Poland-Belarus-Ukraine was implemented in 2004-2006. In that period, a total of 167 projects were financed for a total amount of EUR 45.8 million from EU funds. In 2007-2013, the Programme was implemented under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). Supported by the EU budget at more than EUR 170 million, 117 projects were implemented. They included large infrastructure, regular and umbrella projects. And they brought significant progress in the following sectors: social infrastructure, health care, education, tourism, preservation of natural heritage, security and border crossing infrastructure and services.

Main page of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020