From September 1st, health centers will work until 10 PM, staff redistribution needed

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Adem Zolj and KS Minister of Health Zilha Ademaj held a meeting today with the directors of the three largest healthcare institutions in Sarajevo Canton, Sebija Izetbegović, director of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo (KCUS), Zlatko Kravić, director of the General Hospital „Prim. dr. Abdulah Nakaš“, and JU Health Center director Fuad Husić. Prime Minister Zolj insisted on concrete steps being taken and demanded that the primary level of healthcare fulfill its obligations to the fullest extent.

- The healthcare system in KS is not efficient enough, although we have everything we need. Reorganization was halted because we were always waiting for something. We do not have to wait for Assembly sessions or any political decisions. Only amendments to the founding acts of public institutions cannot be made without the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, and everything else will be done in the coming weeks. There are enough staff and money to make healthcare services better and more efficient - said Prime Minister Zolj.

Izetbegović emphasized that there must be accountability for every individual in the system and that everyone is obliged to do the job they are legally required to do and for which they are paid.

- It happens that a patient's condition dramatically complicates because a specialist doctor in a health center made a wrong diagnosis and sent them to the wrong place. This is unacceptable, and someone must be held accountable for it. It is precisely defined what should be done at each level of healthcare. We accept all patients because we want to help them. We turn no one away, but the system cannot function like this. Abuse of sick leave is also a big problem. We demand that this be stopped - stated Izetbegović.

Concrete conclusions were reached at the meeting, and deadlines for their implementation were agreed upon. First and foremost, it was concluded that from September 1st, all central health centers will work until 10 PM, and others until 8 PM, while the Centar and Novo Sarajevo health centers will operate continuously. This will relieve the Emergency Medical Aid Institute and the Clinical Center, and citizens will receive faster and higher quality service.

By September 15th, the KS Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the largest healthcare institutions, will prepare Guidelines for patient flow through the healthcare system, which will be binding for everyone.

- We are able to redistribute staff from one institution to another. Some places have more staff than necessary, while others lack personnel. We will do this job together with the directors of healthcare institutions - announced Minister Ademaj.

In the coming weeks, the JU Health Center will determine which doctors are sending patients on sick leave without justification.

- We will take concrete measures against those doctors who send employees on sick leave without reason, thereby abusing and directly undermining the entire system in Sarajevo Canton - said director Husić.  

- I don't know why there was such a long wait for concrete actions. Everything could have been done earlier. What we agreed on today must be completed in the next two months because healthcare service users can no longer wait - emphasized Prime Minister Zolj at the end. 

It was also agreed that by the end of September, the entire Reorganization Plan will be submitted for consideration and adoption by the Sarajevo Canton Government, after which it will be sent to the assembly procedure.