Patients Abandon Mass Protests for Now: FBiH Government Allocates 10 of the Needed 70 Million, Cantons Must Help

(Patria) - The Federal House of Representatives will, at tomorrow's extraordinary session starting at 10 a.m. in Sarajevo, urgently consider the rebalancing of this year's budget.

If the proposal established by the FBiH Government, led by Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić, is adopted, the 2023 budget will be increased by 211.7 million KM.

However, the fact that out of this amount, only 10 of the total 70 million KM necessary for treating the most severely ill patients by the end of this year is allocated to the Solidarity Fund is concerning.

Announcement of tomorrow's session of the House of Representatives

Associations of the most severely ill have been appealing and warning the authorities for months to take all adequate steps to ensure timely funding on which the treatment and procurement of medicines for nearly 2,000 patients suffering from the worst diseases depends.

Prime Minister Nikšić promised representatives of the associations at a meeting in September that the Government would find the missing funds for the Solidarity Fund, but it is clear that he did not keep his promise.

Realizing that they themselves cannot secure all 70 million KM, the Government, at Nikšić's proposal, decided to shift a larger part of the responsibility to cantonal governments and health insurance funds, which have shown a surplus, sending them an invitation to join in solving the problem and securing part of the funds. Thus, the ten cantons should secure an additional 60 million KM by the end of the year.

FBiH Government: From the session where the budget rebalancing was established

The most severely ill are, for now, abandoning the mass protests they had earlier announced they would organize on the day the federal House of Representatives considers the budget rebalancing.

- We have achieved more than has been accomplished in the last 20 years. Therefore, we welcome the decision of the FBiH Government, as well as the conclusion that the remaining funds be withdrawn from the surplus of cantonal institutes - said the president of the Breast Cancer Patients Association "Renesansa", Enida Glušac, for Patria.

She emphasizes that the most severely ill patients in the Federation of BiH have felt cheated for many years, and therefore considers this a turning point.

Glušac: We have felt cheated for many years

- They will show the responsibility they should show, because we will not allow patients to die on waiting lists ever again - says Glušac, adding that protests will not be held, at least for now:

"We expect a move from the cantonal institutes because they too need to take their share of responsibility. Funds will be secured because otherwise, they will provoke the anger of citizens."

The president of the Association of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases "Snaga u BiH", Alma Stefanišin, tells Patria that the issue of financing the Solidarity Fund has finally been moved from a dead point after more than 20 years.

- I welcome the conclusion of the FBiH Government that the cantons take over the obligation until the end of the year, which is feasible. And of course, the public promise that in the next year, patient treatment through the Fund will be resolved systematically. That is also feasible, because it is only about respecting the law that this same Government enacted - Stefanišin states.

She notes that, despite the unfulfilled promises of Prime Minister Nikšić to solve this problem, she does not feel cheated, considering the conclusion adopted by the FBiH Government according to which the cantons should take over the financial responsibility of 60 million (because they have the money).

Stefanišin: Funds must be secured

- It was high time for the cantons to take responsibility; they achieve surpluses, while patients in their cantons die - said Stefanišin.

Finally, she explains the reasons for abandoning the announced protests.

- Mass protests in this case would only hide the cantons from participating in financing the treatment of their patients. And they would continue the old practice - even though they have a surplus - they would still shift responsibility to the Fund. The cantons would time-deposit the money while patients would die.

Funds will be secured, they must be secured, because otherwise, they will only provoke the anger of the patients and all fellow citizens. And that does not suit them and is not in their favor - concludes Stefanišin.

(D.K.)