Language courses for healthcare personnel, new equipment, and specialized driving courses for emergency vehicles: these are some of the first tangible results of the SANITAS project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme 2021–2027, which started last June.

The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation GO – EGTC GO is one of the project partners, while the lead partner is the Municipality of Ajdovščina. Project partners also include the Giuliano Isontina Health Authority (ASUGI), the Nova Gorica Fire Brigade (Gasilska enota Nova Gorica), and the Nova Gorica Health Centre (Zdravstveni dom Nova Gorica). Associated partners also include the Civil Protection of Friuli Venezia Giulia and other local Slovenian healthcare bodies. Among the project activities currently underway are Italian and Slovenian language courses for healthcare and emergency personnel operating in the cross-border area. The aim of these courses is to improve the overall quality of cross-border communication between participating medical staff and other stakeholders involved in natural disaster response operations.

Two basic Italian courses (A1 and A2 levels) for Slovenian firefighters and medical staff, and basic Slovenian courses (A1 and A2 levels) for Italian healthcare personnel, are about to start in the coming weeks. Interest in the courses has been so high that it was decided to expand the groups: there will therefore be nearly 30 participants in the Italian course, which will last 45 hours and will be delivered by LUNG (the Nova Gorica Adult Education Centre). The Slovenian course, on the other hand, will be held at the IAL FVG headquarters in Gorizia for about 15 participants, for a total of 60 hours.

In addition, in the coming months the partners GENG (Nova Gorica Fire Brigade), the Municipality of Ajdovščina, and the Nova Gorica Health Centre will launch a series of initiatives aimed at staff training and strengthening healthcare equipment. These include courses for obtaining and upgrading professional driving licenses required to operate specific emergency vehicles. GENG will organize courses for obtaining category E licenses for its personnel. The Municipality of Ajdovščina will activate category C license courses for 10 participants, while ZDNG will run category C1 license courses for 10 participants. The training programs will include theoretical lessons, practical activities, and a final examination. In addition, a group of 20 firefighters and civil protection operators from Nova Gorica have successfully completed an ITLS (International Trauma Life Support) course, during which they acquired knowledge in tactical casualty management, teamwork during operations, rapid decision-making under stress, and the correct sequence of actions in the presence of potentially life-threatening injuries.

At the same time, the project foresees significant investments in healthcare equipment. The Municipality of Ajdovščina will proceed with the purchase of a mobile medical unit in 2026. ZDNG will acquire advanced medical equipment, in particular an ultrasound system and resuscitation devices, which will be supplied during the implementation of the project. The Slovenian fire brigades have recently purchased equipment for lighting healthcare sites in emergency situations.

Taken together, these actions will help strengthen the skills of the personnel involved and improve the efficiency, safety, and quality of healthcare services provided to the population. The ultimate goal of the project is the signing of a cross-border agreement involving healthcare authorities, Slovenian fire brigades, and Italian civil protection for the joint management of emergencies.

The SANITAS project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme 2021–2027.