KUIP: Seven practices were not closed, but banned from performing specific activities

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs of Sarajevo Canton clarified the information published in the media based on the decision of the Health Inspection, regarding the closure of certain private practices.

"The information that health inspectors closed seven practices, i.e., healthcare facilities in the CS, is not true. Namely, the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton submitted a request to the health inspection of the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs of CS, requesting intensified health inspection supervision, which is in accordance with Article 29 of the Law on Inspections of CS, according to which the Inspection is independent in its work and performs inspection supervision tasks according to its annual work program, and can also perform certain inspection reviews upon written request from: the Cantonal Government, the cantonal relevant minister, the director of the Cantonal Administration," explained the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs.

As they stated, the information from the cantonal health inspectors, which some portals reported, was sent only to the relevant Ministry of Health as a response regarding the performed inspection supervision and imposed measures, and to individual healthcare facilities and private practices which, according to the established factual situation, were issued a temporary ban on performing certain activities.

It is important to clarify that if certain irregularities are found during the inspection supervision, the health inspection can issue a decision on a temporary ban, for which a deadline is set to eliminate deficiencies, while the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton, or the competent Minister of Health, based on Articles 60 and 176 of the Law on Health Protection ("Official Gazette of FBiH", numbers 46/10 and 75/13), makes a decision on the cessation of operation of a healthcare facility or a decision on the cessation of approval for performing private practice for a healthcare worker.

They also added that health inspection supervision in CS is carried out continuously in accordance with the work program of the Inspectorate of Sanitary, Health, Pharmaceutical Inspection and Food Inspection, while priority in the inspectors' actions is given to requests for inspection supervision from citizens/patients, as well as other bodies and institutions, of which the CS Health Inspection receives about 40 per month.

"In every individual case of a submitted report, from a legal or natural person, as well as other institutions, action is taken in accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of the Law on Inspections of Sarajevo Canton, which stipulates that the competent inspection is obliged to conduct an inspection within 15 days from the date of receipt of the request for conducting an inspection, and to inform the submitter of the request in writing about the established factual situation and any measures taken within eight days from the date of completion of the inspection," stated the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs.

However, the letter sent to the Ministry of Health did not state "certain activities", but "imposed temporary bans on performing activities", which obviously caused confusion.