Increased Municipal Activities in Novi Grad: Reaction to Leptospirosis Epidemic or Too Late Intervention?

(Patria) - "Given that an epidemic of leptospirosis has been declared in Sarajevo Canton, we have issued an order for urgent action to all managers maintaining common parts of buildings in Sarajevo Canton, meaning they are obliged to inspect buildings, especially utility installations and basement areas, to prevent the spread of the infectious disease leptospirosis, and to take all necessary actions in accordance with the findings to eliminate dangers to human life and health, even if the representative of co-owners and co-owners do not cooperate."

This was stated to the public by the Minister of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction, and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton, Mladen Pandurević, emphasizing that the ministry he leads continuously provides funds for common communal consumption, which enables regular and extraordinary maintenance of public areas in accordance with the adopted Maintenance Program.

Communal companies, as in previous crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are making additional efforts and engaging increased resources to reduce epidemiological risks and protect citizens' health. Cantonal public communal companies, in addition to their regular activities of cleaning, washing, and obligations undertaken through the spring cleaning campaign, are also carrying out tasks issued by the inspection due to the declared leptospirosis epidemic.

"Conditions are changing, but our approach remains responsible and organized. The communal system is functioning, and it is crucial that other actors also contribute to common goals," stated the Minister of Communal Economy.



Yesterday, upon learning of the occurrence of leptospirosis, the personnel and machinery of these companies were directed to the localities of the municipalities of Novi Grad, Ilidža, and Centar. Teams from KJKP Rad carried out emptying of containers, removal of deposited waste, cleaning, and washing of surfaces. Today, activities continue in other areas, and in the coming days, other municipalities in Sarajevo Canton will be covered.

Teams from KJKP ViK have been in the field since yesterday in the Dobrinja area, cleaning canals and canal structures, in accordance with the plan received from the competent institutions.

Workers of cantonal communal companies worked yesterday and this morning in the municipality of Novi Grad, specifically in Hakije Turajlića Street, Dr. Silve Rizvanbegović, Bulevar Mimara Sinana, Petra Tješića, Avde Ćuka, Gandijeva, Branilaca Dobrinje, Nurije Pozderca, X trasverzala, Želimira Vidovca Kelija, walking paths along the Dobrinjka River, Nerkeza Smailagića, Salke Lagumdžije, Semira Frašte, Ramiza Salčina, Sulejmana Filipovića.

The works, as stated, continue today and tomorrow, and on Monday, the spring cleaning campaign for the municipality of Novi Grad begins, organized by the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction, and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton in cooperation with cantonal public enterprises whose founder is the municipality and with the municipalities in Sarajevo Canton, with the aim of improving communal hygiene.



In this regard, timely implementation of public surface disinfection measures by competent public health institutions is necessary, and the Ministry remains open to cooperation and coordination of further steps.

"Through joint action, we can preserve public health and the safety of citizens. The Ministry remains committed to its part of the responsibility. We also appeal to citizens to dispose of waste conscientiously and thus contribute to preserving communal hygiene," concluded Minister Pandurević.

And although the activities of communal companies in the municipality of Novi Grad have been intensified in response to the declared leptospirosis epidemic, the question remains why this has happened at all. For years, it has been evident that regular deratization, disinsection, and communal maintenance measures have been neglected, leading to the current crisis situation.

Many citizens and experts have warned about the alarming state of waste collection, mowing of green areas, and hygiene maintenance in the city, but systemic responses have been lacking or insufficient. This reaction from communal services, although necessary, can be considered too late and conditioned by public and media pressure, rather than preventive action that would have prevented the spread of the disease.

Whether real lessons will be learned from this crisis and communal policy in Sarajevo Canton will be permanently improved remains to be seen. Until then, citizens' health and safety remain threatened due to years of neglect.