Banja Luka: Mother accuses doctor of asking for money for baby's transport

The Disciplinary Commission will investigate the actions of Dr. Vesna Novaković, head of the Intensive Care Department at the Banja Luka Clinical Center, reports the Patria News Agency.

The management has requested that Novaković be held accountable for accepting bribes. She was accused by Aleksandra Vesić, the mother of one of the four babies transferred to Belgrade due to a malfunctioning respirator. The mother claims she only found out about the malfunction in Serbia, and that the doctor asked for money for her child's transport. She also states that the doctor concealed facts about the baby's health condition.

“Various stories, insistence that the father comes to that little room that most mothers know. A conversation with the father. I don't know if it's relevant for the medical profession what the parent does for a living, especially the father,” says Aleksandra Vesić.

Dr. Vesna Novaković stated in a written announcement that she will not give statements until the accountability procedure is concluded. Mirko Stanetić, director of UKC RS, told ATV that the Disciplinary Commission will thoroughly investigate the allegations of bribery. He also said that all information about the child's health is in the discharge list, and that claims of negligent treatment will not be investigated.

“By publishing the article in which the lady made accusations against her colleague, Dr. Vesna Novaković, without any desire to prejudge any decision, we have initiated accountability proceedings, which is a completely normal reaction,” said Mirko Stanetić, director of UKC RS.

Aleksandra Vesić met with the Minister of Health, Dragan Bogdanić. She claims the minister apologized for everything she went through, but did not promise anything concrete. In the past few days, mothers have contacted her, claiming they had problems with Dr. Novaković. Many have also written about their experiences on the ATV portal. They say the scenario is identical: bad news about the baby, a conversation with the father, and taking money. Vesić says that dissatisfied mothers are preparing a collective lawsuit.

“I don't intend to stop here. I have organized myself through the Facebook page 'Experience of Childbirth in Banja Luka' and launched an appeal for other mothers to contact me with their cases, not necessarily related to mine, so that we can insist that those responsible are brought to justice,” said Aleksandra Vesić.

She claims she is not hiding the fact that her son is ill, and that doctors suspect a rare genetic disease. She says she does not want to damage the reputation of the institution and doctors, but only wants those responsible to be brought to light. The Clinical Center states that the decision will be made after the report of the Disciplinary Commission, ATV reported.