Hočko: Healthcare situation in Sarajevo Canton is alarming, doctors are lacking, Sarajevo Canton Government is unresponsive

(Patria) - The Union of Doctors of Medicine and Dentistry of Sarajevo Canton announced a press conference for today to discuss the healthcare situation, and doctor protests are possible due to the Sarajevo Canton Government's attitude towards this sector.

According to prim. dr. Izet Hočko, president of the Union, a session of the Union's Management Board is scheduled for this afternoon, where a decision will be made on when and how to organize protests.

"The Sarajevo Canton Government has no understanding whatsoever of the situation in healthcare, of the enormous departure of doctors from BiH. As things stand, we will be left without public healthcare, because people are moving to the private sector, and I think we will all be completely endangered. Healthcare is being managed by people who have no idea about this field, except for the affirmative stance of the Minister of Health Enis Hasanović. Some who are in power in Sarajevo Canton are fighting against the citizens of this canton, against positive moves in healthcare. Will there be doctor protests? Yes, there will be, but in a different way and in a different place," Hočko told Faktor.

Hočko told Faktor that four candidates applied for one specialization at the University Clinical Center Sarajevo (KCUS), and all of them will receive a specialization.

"Sometimes 80 candidates would apply. The number of doctors who are lacking is huge - neurologists, pediatricians, pathologists... A catastrophe awaits us," Hočko points out.

The Healthcare Workers' Union of Sarajevo Canton has been on strike for two weeks already, and on September 19, they will hold a protest march.

The Professional Union of Nurses and Technicians of Sarajevo Canton, which brings together 1,600 nurses and technicians of all profiles and education levels, has also announced protests for Thursday.

This followed after representatives of this Union came to a scheduled meeting with the Sarajevo Canton Government last Friday (September 13), but were told they would not be received.

The Sarajevo Canton Government stated that there is no money to increase the hourly rate, and that the current collective agreement with the Healthcare Workers' Union is valid until April 2025.

On the other hand, Minister Hasanović stated that there is money in the Sarajevo Canton Health Insurance Fund, but for now, there is no decision to increase salaries.

In addition to healthcare workers' salaries, a major problem is the lack of medication, long waiting lists, a shortage of specialists, and patients waiting for months for pathohistological results...