Drljača: BPK Goražde is an example of how to help consolidate the Pazarić Institute

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Federal Minister of Labour and Social Policy Vesko Drljača and a delegation from the Bosniopodrinje Canton Goražde, led by Prime Minister Aida Obuća, spoke with the director of the Institute for the Care of Mentally Disabled Children and Youth Pazarić, Samir Suljagić, about proposals and activities for continuing cooperation for the benefit of the users residing in that institution.

In a statement to journalists before the meeting, the relevant minister Drljača emphasized the desire and need to help the Institute, stating that the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with cantonal governments, especially the Government of BPK and the director of the Institute, has succeeded in consolidating the institution's budget.

The topic of the meeting also included problems and needs for further development and improvement of this social institution, as well as other social institutions in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- We want to continue the development of social protection in the FBiH and implement reforms that have already begun and are yielding results. So far, we have adopted the Law on Foster Care and the Law on Foster Parents, and the law on material support for families with children is in parliament. We are working on a social protection strategy – said Drljača.

As Prime Minister Aida Obuća stated, BPK has settled its obligations for users from that canton placed in the Pazarić Institute and emphasizes its sensitivity towards this category of people.

- For now, the greatest and best help is in the regular settlement of obligations towards users from BPK, because without it, they cannot realize certain incentives that depend on their financial stability – said Obuća.

She specified that there are currently 21 users from that canton in the institute, of whom 20 are minors. She added that they strive to show a similar level of sensitivity and financial responsibility towards other institutions of this type in the FBiH where persons from the BPK are placed.

Institute Director Suljagić is satisfied with today's meeting and emphasizes that settling debts creates opportunities for the Institute's development. The Institute's intention, he says, is to further strengthen its professional staff to improve the quality of services.

- Three more cantons have certain debts for the accommodation of users in the Institute, as well as a smaller amount for users from the BiH entity Republika Srpska, and these obligations will be fulfilled successively. These debts are not a limiting factor for our further development at the moment – he said.

He emphasizes that there are currently 334 users in the Institute in Pazarić, 80 of whom are immobile. According to him, the number of minors among the users is increasing.

Director Suljagić presented Prime Minister Obuća with a commemorative gift made for her by the wards of the institute from the BPK.

There are five institutions of this type in the FBiH, and their financial situation is relatively stable. The needs of the users of these institutions are generally similar.