Čerkez: Improvement of the epidemiological situation in Sarajevo Canton is commendable

(Patria) - Member of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health and Assistant Minister for Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Goran Čerkez stated that the improvement of the epidemiological situation caused by the coronavirus in Sarajevo Canton is commendable, emphasizing that it is a success of expertise and good coordination of competent authorities, as well as adherence to prescribed measures.

At a meeting initiated by the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Mario Nenadić, which was attended by Čerkez, acting Minister of Health Draško Jeličić, Minister of Education, Science and Youth Anis Krivić, and the President of the Crisis Staff of the KS Ministry of Health for monitoring and analyzing the situation caused by the coronavirus, Prof. Dr. Aida Pilav, information was exchanged about the current situation in the Canton, as well as the measures being undertaken and planned by the Federation of BiH and Sarajevo Canton to better prepare for autumn, which, according to experts, carries new epidemiological risks in the Canton and beyond.

The general stance is that the situation in KS is currently satisfactory and does not require the introduction of more restrictive measures.

"If we consider the number of infected people we had in the previous period in Sarajevo Canton, in a very short period there has been a significant improvement in the situation, which is now satisfactory and we can say above expectations. This is a success of expertise, extremely good work of health professionals, epidemiologists and those in clinics who treated, but also the agility, or readiness of the KS Government to monitor, supervise and engage all competent authorities and available capacities in order to implement and respect the prescribed measures. The good cooperation between the KS Institute of Public Health and the Ministry of Health, which have created a very good model that yields results at this stage, is evident. We would like to have more such good examples as Sarajevo Canton," Čerkez emphasized on this occasion.

The topics of discussion also included the organization and progress of the teaching process in educational institutions, the work of kindergartens, and the organization of childcare in nurseries in the context of the epidemic.

The model of a combined teaching process in Sarajevo Canton schools is being implemented without problems, while respecting all prescribed hygiene and epidemiological measures. The situation in educational and preschool institutions is continuously monitored, and further steps and possible models of action in the best interest of children are being considered in consultation with the KS Crisis Staff and institutions.

According to Čerkez, these are extremely good models of organization and work, including the plan for organizing online teaching at higher education institutions, for which expert opinion was provided after risk assessments.

Prime Minister Nenadić and Minister Jeličić informed the representative of the FBiH Crisis Staff, Čerkez, that Sarajevo Canton has consolidated the needs of all public health institutions in Sarajevo Canton in the previous period and, based on such specifications, ordered the necessary medical and protective equipment needed to combat the coronavirus. In doing so, the Canton has preserved the largest part of the approved funds for equipment procurement, which is a great encouragement and a guarantee that additional necessary procurements for the issues in question will not be in doubt at the level of Sarajevo Canton.

Information was exchanged on the procurement of necessary coronavirus tests, activities on equipping isolation facilities, capacities of health institutions, as well as the flow of goods and services in the Canton in the context of implemented hygiene and epidemiological measures, the work of catering facilities and inspection supervision, the organization of cultural and sports events and manifestations, and numerous other issues.

Members of the cantonal government also informed those present about the significantly increased capacities in terms of the number of employed healthcare workers in the Canton. A special project is underway that will enable the employment of an additional 102 healthcare workers in public health institutions and social institutions in the Canton. Earlier, the employment of about 200 of them was approved, so since April, the number of employed healthcare workers in the Canton has increased by about 300 workers.

Čerkez praised this systematic and organized approach to coordinating activities in the fight against coronavirus, implemented by Sarajevo Canton.