Gavrankapetanović for N1: Nothing is okay, urgent measures in the next 48 hours

(Patria) - Ismet Gavrankapetanović, a long-time doctor and orthopedic specialist, commented for N1 on the situation regarding the coronavirus in BiH and the functioning of the health system in the midst of recent deaths.

When asked if he could compare working during the war and today, given the state of emergency, he said that there are experiences that can be applied and utilized.

"Times are different, but there are certain things that are similar and experiences we can use. I want to say that patience is important in this time, but also responsibility. The responsibility of each individual. Responsibility always has a name and surname, it was like that during the war. The process is very clear. The third thing we can draw from that time that we need is discipline. The discipline of each of us. I think it is very important to emphasize organization as well. The organization of the health system from health centers to the clinical center. We visited the wounded in their homes and dressed their wounds, so that they would not come and expose themselves and their families to new risks. It can start with a phone call, but we have to examine people. It's not an examination with a stethoscope, but an examination of the patient, observation, conversation, and conclusions," Gavrankapetanović was emphatic.

He believes that the health system needs to be "reset" as soon as possible because the same things and factors are repeating in the fatal cases so far.

"In all situations, the same thing repeats, and we urgently need to reset the system and determine where the key points are and call them by name and surname. We need to establish a system where it is precisely known who is in command. You cannot do something and not be held accountable for it. In this case, health centers and the Clinical Center have been named. We need to see exactly where the problem is, but responsibility starts with those who command. You cannot shift responsibility to someone who was in the ambulance and intubated someone."

Who is responsible?

"In the Health Center, the first part of the responsibility lies, the Commission immediately comes out and determines it, and the system is corrected. Those who are responsible for moral reasons immediately resign. It's like a state of war. They step aside, others come. Not to harm someone, but to save them from a situation they are not coping with. The wartime ambulance service in besieged Sarajevo determined responsibility immediately and resignation was submitted immediately. This signals that the system is functioning and gives citizens confidence," he said.

Gavrankapetanović referred to the statements from the Crisis Headquarters of the KS during the day that "everything is okay".

"I listened to a doctor from the Crisis Headquarters who says everything is okay. Nothing is okay! If one life is lost, it's not okay. We need to restore citizens' trust."

He added the importance of good relations between institutions in times of crisis.

"The least we need now is any bad relationship between institutions. Every healthcare worker must be integrated into the system because the worst thing that can happen is a misunderstanding. Today I contacted at least 40 doctors, and we doctors have an excellent relationship."

He further emphasized that urgent measures need to be taken in the next 48 hours, because the system has a "flaw".

"The system currently has a flaw, let's fix that flaw in good faith to restore citizens' trust. We have a situation where a large number of people are at home and cannot access the system. We need to make decisions that are a bit painful and harsh through open discussion, without politicking and resentment, but we must make them for the good of the entire city. Urgent corrective measures in the system within the next 48 hours. So, 48 hours, urgent measures. These are real systems that recognize mistakes and correct them."