Minister Gudeljević sleeps despite being directly responsible for coordinating health activities

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH is carrying out all activities stipulated by the Law on Ministries and Other Administrative Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of health, and on the occasion of the declaration of the pandemic of the new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

This was announced by the Ministry, which states that they are carrying out activities through all other sectors involved in overcoming this problem according to the same principle. The primary goal of these activities is to harmonize the positions of both entities and the Department of Health of Brčko District.

"The coronavirus is present in BiH, and we strive day and night to suggest strengthening measures to maximally protect citizens. At this moment, it is most important to reach a consensus regarding equal treatment throughout the entire territory of BiH, because the coronavirus is not a political issue but a matter of health for all our citizens equally, and therefore, the activities of all levels have been raised to the highest level," it was announced.

However, Minister Ankica Gudeljević (HDZ) does not fully respect the Law on Ministries and Other Bodies. Firstly, her silence and disinterest in this problem are incomprehensible, expressed to such an extent that she was not even able to sign the statement, which was sent on behalf of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
According to the Law, the Ministry of Civil Affairs is responsible for: citizenship affairs, registration and records of citizens, personal data protection, registration of residence and stay, personal documents, travel documents, and vehicle registration records; - demining.

The Ministry is responsible for performing tasks and executing duties that fall under the jurisdiction of Bosnia and Herzegovina and relate to determining the basic principles of coordinating activities, harmonizing the plans of entity authorities, and defining strategies at the international level in the areas of: - health and social protection; - pensions; - science and education; - labor and employment; - culture and sports; - geodesy, geology, and meteorology.

This means that the Ministry of Civil Affairs is precisely the one that should harmonize the plans of entity authorities, and Minister Gudeljević should define the course of action, not call on entity and lower levels of government to agree.