Director of UKC Tuzla calls on Schmidt to impose procurement of radiotherapy devices?!

(Patria) - The newly appointed director of the University Clinical Center Tuzla, Šekib Umihanić, today asked the High Representative in BiH to amend regulations for one day and enable the procurement of devices and equipment for radiotherapy.

Umihanić held a meeting today with representatives of several associations whose members include cancer patients. He discussed numerous problems, the biggest of which is that patients from TK cannot receive radiotherapy at UKC Tuzla. Due to threats to the health and lives of a large number of patients and the fact that the financing of radiotherapy is within the jurisdiction of the FBiH institutions, an urgent step is necessary.

"I call on the High Representative Christian Schmidt to consider the possibility of amending regulations for one day and, with his decision, enable the Government of FBiH and the Government of TK to procure equipment and devices for radiotherapy for the needs of UKC Tuzla, under, conditionally speaking, a shortened and urgent procurement procedure. We demand that the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH, the Prime Minister of FBiH, the Ministry of Health of FBiH, and the Director of the Federal Health Insurance and Reinsurance Institute actively engage in resolving the problem" - said Umihanić.

He emphasized that this institution has exhausted all legal options and will announce a third public procurement call after two failed due to constant complaints. Currently, there are 100 cancer patients at UKC, and the number is increasing daily.

"I will propose to the authorities to declare a state of emergency. If there are even minimal legal possibilities. We ask all humanitarian and friendly organizations, the UN, and the World Health Organization office for assistance in order to solve the problem of cancer patients. We demand that the prosecutor's office investigate all circumstances that led to the endangerment of patients' lives" - Umihanić states. He warns that patients who are currently waiting, with an optimal radiotherapy deadline of two months, will likely not receive their therapy if this problem is not urgently resolved.

We remind you that the radiotherapy device at UKC Tuzla has not been working for over a year. The Government of TK has allocated money for a new one, and it is in the account, but legal complications, lengthy procedures, and endless complaints are hindering everything. Patients are forced to go to other cities to receive therapy, and even that is currently reduced.