Dr. Malićbegović for NAP: A worsening of the situation is expected in the next 15 days

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The jurisdiction of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH is defined by Article 15 of the Law on Ministries and Other Administrative Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to which the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH is competent for performing tasks and executing duties within the jurisdiction of Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to determining the basic principles of coordination of activities, harmonization of plans of entity authorities, and defining strategy at the international level, including, among other things, in the area of healthcare.

Dr. Draženka Malićbegović, Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH in the Health Sector and the person responsible for International Health Regulations and monitoring cross-border threats and disease spread, explains in an interview with the Patria News Agency that based on Article 4 of the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations, the Council of Ministers of BiH adopted a Decision on the Establishment of a Commission for the Implementation of International Health Regulations.

“I am the primary responsible person for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission is part of the World Health Organization's global network of national focal points (Event Information Site for IHR National Focal Point) and is key to the successful implementation of IHR presented by the World Health Organization, within 196 signatory states, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As such, the Commission is, through the network, informed daily about all events currently being assessed at the global level, according to the criteria for public health risks of international concern under IHR, including the outbreak of an epidemic caused by the new coronavirus, as well as information about Bosnian and Herzegovinian citizens who were in areas affected by the new coronavirus and their movements,” says Malićbegović.

Healthcare is within the jurisdiction of the entities and Brčko District, and in accordance with the Laws on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases at the entity and Brčko District level, measures are implemented at that level.

“The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH has so far organized three Health Sector Conferences. The first was with entity health ministers and the head of the Department for Health and Other Services of Brčko District. The second meeting was expanded, attended by the Minister of Security of BiH and the Director of the BiH Border Police.

At the last meeting held yesterday, cantonal health ministers from Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, given the situation at KB Mostar, were invited to be informed about all undertaken measures, as well as from Una-Sana Canton, given that in addition to the occurrence of cases of CORONA-19 disease, they are facing a major problem with migrants.

I also participated in a joint meeting of the Government of the Federation of BiH and the Government of Republika Srpska,” notes the Assistant Minister.

Malićbegović explains that it is justified for the Health Sector Conference to coordinate activities if we are in the initial phase, but now that the number of infected people is increasing every day, the coordination must be taken over by the BiH Coordination Body; Dr. Dušan Kojić is a member representing the MCP BiH.

“In accordance with the divided jurisdiction in BiH, cantonal, entity, and Brčko District crisis headquarters and a Coordination Body at the BiH level have been established. The Council of Ministers has activated the Coordination Body, in accordance with the Law on Protection and Rescue of People and Property in Emergency Situations,” states Malićbegović.

The most frequent question is whether BiH has enough tests and why a larger number of people are not being tested.

“In Bosnia and Herzegovina, clinical centers have purchased a certain number of tests and received about 1000 tests from the WHO. There is no need to test all individuals, or at the request of individuals. It is necessary to test individuals with symptoms and those who have been in close contact with a positive person, which is being done,” added Malićbegović.

The problem, as she points out, are irresponsible individuals.

“I think that timely measures have been taken in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but we are facing the problem of irresponsible individuals who have come from infected areas and are walking freely, despite being issued a Decision to undergo home isolation and report to the competent institutions. Furthermore, they should not only stay at home but should be isolated from immediate family members or wear a mask at all times and adhere to all other instructions they receive when the Decision is issued.

In this regard, the assistance of the media in warning citizens to adhere to the prescribed measures, so that through their socially responsible behavior they reduce the number of infected people, is of great benefit in preventing the spread of the disease. With this number of confirmed cases, a worsening of the situation and an increase in the number of infected people are expected in the next 15 days,” said Malićbegović.