Čerkez: No obstacles to autopsies of those who died from coronavirus

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - According to the latest data, 4,453 citizens have been tested in the Federation of BiH so far, with 475 confirmed cases of coronavirus, said Goran Čerkez, a member of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health and Assistant Federal Minister for Public Health, at a regular press conference.

"During the past 24 hours, 415 tests were performed, which shows that we have over 400 tests per day, and there are 36 new positive cases. All tests performed during the day can be tracked at www.covid-19.ba," Čerkez added.

He added that so far there are 74 patients in hospital, and 7 patients are on ventilators.

"It is evident that the sun has brought citizens out and that we have relaxed. It is evident that many are not respecting the measures, and I would ask that we return to respecting the measures so as not to worsen the situation."

Čerkez says it is not time to relax at all.

"Discipline is needed to be able to respond to the needs of the citizens," Čerkez concluded.

Regarding claims that some doctors in USK refuse to be available, Čerkez said that this is one form of endangering health, but noted that he does not have such data.

When asked about the reliability of the tests, Čerkez explained that the tests were procured from South Korea and that the tests had been verified.

"The tests have proven to be reliable," Čerkez added.

When asked why autopsies of those who died from the virus are not being performed, Čerkez said that "pathological autopsies are performed in hospitals, and forensic autopsies if there is suspicion about the cause of death."

"Autopsies can be performed very simply. There are no special measures, we need to have equipment such as double gloves for autopsy, face protection, a suit. There are no obstacles to doing it," says Čerkez.

When asked if the healthcare system is bad and disorganized to the point that it cannot procure equipment for forensic experts, he said that managers of medical institutions are primarily responsible for procuring medical equipment.

When asked about the procurement of medicines for chronic patients that are not available on the BiH market, Čerkez replied that individuals do not have the right to procure medicines, and recommended that citizens contact pharmacies.

When asked why the autopsy of doctor Šefik Pašagić was bypassed, Čerkez said that it is not ethical to comment, and that institutions should conduct all procedures and investigations, and then draw conclusions based on that.